tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15403472938132276912018-03-19T12:06:56.374-07:00Quilting TogetherThis blog explores the ways we share and pass on the craft of quilting, especially across generations.Darlene Contadinonoreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540347293813227691.post-23537677128658439342017-10-25T09:10:00.002-07:002017-10-25T09:10:56.538-07:00I need another quilt like a hole in my head.My husband is right. I need another quilt like I need a hole in my head. That doesn't mean I don't <b>need</b> to make more quilts, even lots of quilts. So the solution is to make them and give them away.<br /><br />While it was not my initial intention, I have given away every mystery quilt I made, expect for my first one. (It had too many mistakes).&nbsp; I still love it and use it every day. Others who have done Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilts understand when I say that quilt taught me a lot&nbsp; and I would never have tackled it if I knew what I was getting into. Still it was worth every stitch. My knowledge and skills really grew and improved doing that quilt.<br /><br />&nbsp;While some rush through and complete Bonnie Hunter Mystery quilts weeks after the last clue, that's not me.&nbsp; It took me nearly a year to finish, quilt and bind the 2016 Mystery, EnProvence.<br /><br />Meanwhile.....I had been wanting to make quilts for my cousins, but was not sure what to make. Cousin Pat mentioned Loretta likes purple. Yahoo I just happened to have finished a quilt with purple. You all can guess want it is. En Provence of course. So my first gift is completed.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WbLMBDYbXt4/WfCt-5TxdWI/AAAAAAAAC2E/0t3Cp5IxAPYgFUWlVwNZvoPs01k2VL7sACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WbLMBDYbXt4/WfCt-5TxdWI/AAAAAAAAC2E/0t3Cp5IxAPYgFUWlVwNZvoPs01k2VL7sACLcBGAs/s400/DSCN3690.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished En Provence</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f9b_zGzLYl4/WfCt-hCN7iI/AAAAAAAAC2A/DR3fLi93v3MVeVE8sqsY_nzvqGNMqjwlACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f9b_zGzLYl4/WfCt-hCN7iI/AAAAAAAAC2A/DR3fLi93v3MVeVE8sqsY_nzvqGNMqjwlACLcBGAs/s320/DSCN3691.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of block</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Truthfully I have become a slacker when it comes to taking pictures. I'm lucky to have these two of the finished product. I put my camera in a "safe" place and have been looking for it for weeks. I finally found it today. I wish the quilting showed up better.<br /><br />Next I had to come up with a theme for my cousin Kathy's quilt. You never know what will inspire you. Her quilt was inspired by a newsprint wide backing I saw on e Quilter. Eureka! This was perfect for her. I decided to do Bonnie Hunters Scrappy Happy Houses. As usual I didn't follow the directions exactly. There is no sashing and the background is a constant black. I found a lovely fall print for the border. I think it tied it together. So here is her town. And the backing is the newspaper print, with lots of affirming headlines. I love how it turned out.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T5RyvSkGuhg/WfCvaCkab1I/AAAAAAAAC2Q/ut-mkx6-zkEVFZ514VcC7V31PyNYT_4nQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T5RyvSkGuhg/WfCvaCkab1I/AAAAAAAAC2Q/ut-mkx6-zkEVFZ514VcC7V31PyNYT_4nQCLcBGAs/s640/DSCN3688.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Scrappy Houses.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The nicest thing is this was all from scraps.The houses are all from the same size strips (I think 2 inches). I just cut strips and had them everywhere.&nbsp; It did not make much of a dent, but it was fun to shop the stash for the fabrics.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">OK, for some reason my cursor is stuck in the middle, who knows what I did. I have two others quilts pieced and will quilt them this weekend. I will post when the bindings are done.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">By then we will know the color selections for the next mystery.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am going off the deep end with my selections. No matter what colors Bonnie selects I know what I'm using. I just don't know how much and if I need to add to my stash.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy piecing to all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Darlene Contadinohttps://plus.google.com/114219627027227506345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540347293813227691.post-91926419848871358442017-09-07T17:31:00.002-07:002017-09-07T17:31:56.336-07:00New Ways to Quilt TogetherIt's been a busy few months. Honestly I have tried to blog, but have some trouble with my computer system.&nbsp; I got impatient so just forgot about it.<br /><br />Today someone reminded me that each phase of our life is a new adventure. Having retired and my granddaughter being a high school student are some new adventures for us.&nbsp; While I have more time to sew, she has less time. That's how things go as children grow.<br /><br />Another change has been that my local quilt guild disbanded because of lack of members. Many still get together at the local senior center for sit and sews. I still miss the group.<br /><br />I've done a few charity tops, but I don't like the results I get quilting on my home machine, and there is a long wait for time on a rented long-arm. Below is one comfort quilt I completed for a friend newly diagnosed with cancer. I love this pattern and it went together very quickly, only half square triangles and setting triangles. It worked because I was able to use a long arm machine. to quilt.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f7Cg-twnNiw/WbHZbzlLrgI/AAAAAAAAC1k/dO59tOHW-4wM4CFfGIbYnItpo_3gu--hgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f7Cg-twnNiw/WbHZbzlLrgI/AAAAAAAAC1k/dO59tOHW-4wM4CFfGIbYnItpo_3gu--hgCLcBGAs/s320/DSCN3662.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />I put this on the long arm machine long side up and picked a pantos that looked like swirls falling down the quilt. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DjQMIuY6emM/WbHZbjRUMNI/AAAAAAAAC1g/DYyj87rhFC4LH4zAq6Mm33NBNeh_lJTVACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DjQMIuY6emM/WbHZbjRUMNI/AAAAAAAAC1g/DYyj87rhFC4LH4zAq6Mm33NBNeh_lJTVACLcBGAs/s400/DSCN3663.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of quilting.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />A friend Rose came to my aid. She belongs to a quilt group whose main function is to put together charity quilts. They donate quilts to a variety of agencies.&nbsp; They have teams of member who put together quilt kits, and others who do different stages of the process. All working together for common good.&nbsp; What a great group. She also took a few quilt tops I had pieced for charity and will quilt them and donate them. Win for all.<br /><br />I had been searching for such an organization to reduce my stash and was able to donate several boxes of fabric, patterns, books, batting, etc. It was enough to nearly fill the back of her truck and to be honest I have more than enough left to do many, many quilts.<br /><br />I used the above pattern to make a fall quilt for a nephew that moved to Maine. &nbsp; I plan to quilt it long ways as the quilt above, but use a trailing leaf pattern.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pUZsCyI2TVA/WbHeKjzhYaI/AAAAAAAAC1w/G6FZfqIVbF4KNJ7LJZXka7ne0oyN5m9IgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pUZsCyI2TVA/WbHeKjzhYaI/AAAAAAAAC1w/G6FZfqIVbF4KNJ7LJZXka7ne0oyN5m9IgCLcBGAs/s400/DSCN3675.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forest Floor in the Fall</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>There where some cancellations at the local quilt shop so I have appointments this Saturday and the following Saturday. I have three quilt tops waiting to be quilted.<br /><br />My next project is Bonnie Hunter's Scrappy House quilt. I have another two quilts in the planning stage. More on my next blog.<br /><br /><br />Darlene Contadinohttps://plus.google.com/114219627027227506345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540347293813227691.post-47067892599558695922017-07-30T12:07:00.002-07:002017-07-30T12:07:45.137-07:00Fun with JanaI&nbsp; had the best weekend with my granddaughter Jana. She spent the night Friday and early Saturday morning we made our way to Loveland Quilt Studio where she had her first experience quilting on a long-arm machine. I had my camera ready to document the occasion, but we got so involved in the process that I completely forgot to take a picture. What a dummy I am!<br /><br />She was back a few days later to do the binding, so her quilt is complete. Once again she was on her way home before I realized I had not taken a picture of her and her quilt. Bad grandma! Here is a picture before the quilting and binding. I'll see if her dad will send me a picture of her with the quilt to share. I am so proud of her because this is the first quilt she did from beginning to end. She designed her layout, cut out the quilt pieces, pieced it, quilted it and did the binding.&nbsp; She is something else. She used a butterfly pantos and it really worked well as the fabrics have lots of flowers, it's as if the butterflies are fluttering over the garden. She named it Fluttering Flowers.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wmqVpKityvc/WXHyPDThMbI/AAAAAAAAC0U/rDZgVLfN6NM-Dectn6mdfcereAzi0bSdQCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSCN3491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wmqVpKityvc/WXHyPDThMbI/AAAAAAAAC0U/rDZgVLfN6NM-Dectn6mdfcereAzi0bSdQCEwYBhgL/s320/DSCN3491.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jana peeking over top of her quilt. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wmqVpKityvc/WXHyPDThMbI/AAAAAAAAC0U/Tlfh2VguXFAOWGH3ZvxcJv22X0dzyFT-ACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>I was able to quilt my Hearth Quilt.&nbsp; I used a polyester batting. This quilt will gets lots of use (and washing). Since it is a big quilt (88x88) I was hoping it would be lighter with the polyester. I'm not sure that part of the plan worked as it still is rather heavy. I was able to use a larger design for the quilting. It's quite functional, which is&nbsp; most important to me. I love this quilt, but it has problems. First my backing shrunk (more than expected). I had to add a three inch strip to fit the top. That frustrated me to no end.&nbsp; Secondly, my hands have been bothering me and I decided to put the binding on by machine. I am not happy with the results, but I am at the point where I just can't&nbsp; do it. Actually I can, but I can only hand sew for so long and I pay the price with pain and numbness. For now my plan is hand sew the binding on smaller project and special projects, but machine sew utility quilts.<br /><br /><br />Overall I am feeling good and staying busy. I have two charity quilt tops done. Since these are smaller I am thinking about doing them on my home machine.&nbsp; Luckily I recently meet a lady at the Clermont Senior Center who will quilt charity quilts for a very reasonable amount. I may have her do them, so I can concentrate on piecing, which is what I like to do best.<br /><br />On the hot days I'm in my basement sewing. Early mornings I'm in the garden. My garden is mostly shade, but I do have a sunny clearing where I grow herbs and some annuals.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TubAtqjyuu4/WXH0vfGICnI/AAAAAAAAC0k/WWp_SsdIK3IgD746-29L13h5LgcM2CemgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TubAtqjyuu4/WXH0vfGICnI/AAAAAAAAC0k/WWp_SsdIK3IgD746-29L13h5LgcM2CemgCLcBGAs/s400/DSCN3655.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basil, Parsley, Thyme, Sage and Annuals</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6qckaxEIMXI/WXH2PQoI4pI/AAAAAAAAC0w/wqkOeip-IH8bW8-tMkADl4hi4_daTW1nwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6qckaxEIMXI/WXH2PQoI4pI/AAAAAAAAC0w/wqkOeip-IH8bW8-tMkADl4hi4_daTW1nwCLcBGAs/s400/DSCN3604.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden bed near patio where I drink Iced Tea.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Darlene Contadinohttps://plus.google.com/114219627027227506345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540347293813227691.post-84386645688753416172017-06-20T05:49:00.002-07:002017-06-20T05:49:37.835-07:00Finishing projectsI am so embarrassed that I have not blogged since April. I don't know why, or where the time went. I had good intentions.&nbsp; It was only when a family member mentioned my blog that my brain woke up and I realized it had been too long since I logged in.<br /><br />I have been sewing. First let's talk about Lady of Lake Erie. I'm blaming it on her. I wonder how a project that started out so hopefully could end up being like an albatross around my neck. I made so many mistakes. I've cut things wrongs (too small) and sewed squares together backwards. I had to rip out over 20 blocks. I did get the center together, but just could not bring myself to do the triangle border, so for now I have just made a scrappy border. Here she is.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wn4pVPhTjwM/WUkQuoBmobI/AAAAAAAACyw/APT6jUpGI4EaTqMSebsiFygb36lAdkH_ACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wn4pVPhTjwM/WUkQuoBmobI/AAAAAAAACyw/APT6jUpGI4EaTqMSebsiFygb36lAdkH_ACLcBGAs/s320/DSCN3613.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearly finished Lady of Lake Erie.</td></tr></tbody></table>Now I have the dilemma of how to finish this. This border is too blah. I have this big fish fabric that I purchased online for this quilt. Once I got it I realized the pattern was way to big for the blocks. I am thinking about using it for a border. How does a nice big border of fish swimming around the edge sound. I only have a yard, so I will need to purchase more fabric. I am pretty sure I can still get it.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bhNWQR2jq-A/WUkRXU_hMPI/AAAAAAAACy4/ufL637sYHJ0dZyHqrwdM75FgENxS-S4ygCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bhNWQR2jq-A/WUkRXU_hMPI/AAAAAAAACy4/ufL637sYHJ0dZyHqrwdM75FgENxS-S4ygCLcBGAs/s320/DSCN3615.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add a final border of fish?</td></tr></tbody></table><br />While Lady of Lake Erie is still a work in progress, I did finish another quilt. It's called Hello Garden.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-je_HVAD3Eio/WUkRrG6aPgI/AAAAAAAACy8/Q0NPdgHmCE8EJnNOvBEanIMrfjglixYyACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-je_HVAD3Eio/WUkRrG6aPgI/AAAAAAAACy8/Q0NPdgHmCE8EJnNOvBEanIMrfjglixYyACLcBGAs/s400/DSCN3612.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello Garden</td></tr></tbody></table><br />This was a fun quilt to put together. It's all from scraps, except the constant green. It's been gifted to a friend. I can't believe I forget to get a picture of it quilted before I sent it off. I'm making another quilt with a off white background and pastels for a charity quilt for hospice. I really like this pattern. I think that I've been making lots of Bonnie Hunter quilts and my brain is struggling with the concentration required to piece some of them. I'm craving something simple and this fit the bill.<br /><br />Oh one thing that's kept me from blogging. A tree uprooted Memorial Day Weekend. It took part of our deck, slide down the roof. It made a mess, but thankfully no one was hurt. Still it's been a distraction. And this is definitely a UFO.<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-krTrlRZENmg/WUkS5gmK6DI/AAAAAAAACzY/39C22zOnAIo6VWbvo25eOAmaA3AQGTd-wCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-krTrlRZENmg/WUkS5gmK6DI/AAAAAAAACzY/39C22zOnAIo6VWbvo25eOAmaA3AQGTd-wCLcBGAs/s200/DSCN3580.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What used to be deck steps and railing</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4XlRoVrwlN4/WUkS454fqhI/AAAAAAAACzI/i_jDulhXEAQgfomJ166Dhm3F9ClOVugpwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4XlRoVrwlN4/WUkS454fqhI/AAAAAAAACzI/i_jDulhXEAQgfomJ166Dhm3F9ClOVugpwCLcBGAs/s200/DSCN3576.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uprooted tree</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I titled this post Finishing Projects and that is what I have been doing. How old is your oldest UFO. I think I pieced this quilt nearly 7 years ago. My granddaughter and I both made the same quilt. Her was very bright and colorful. Mine not so much. I also did not like how one block (the first block in a BMO) was so different. After Jana nagging me about not quilting it, I finally did. So here is my first UFO. (to be honest I still need to hand sew the back of the binding). It's quilted with cute bubble-bees. I'm glad it's finally done. I hate UFO's.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uA6ieIwOanc/WUkUSvL8TdI/AAAAAAAACzk/alSCp0zJ4OoohcS1m7FovfRessf7dGYcwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uA6ieIwOanc/WUkUSvL8TdI/AAAAAAAACzk/alSCp0zJ4OoohcS1m7FovfRessf7dGYcwCLcBGAs/s320/DSCN3527.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An old Craftsy BOM project.</td></tr></tbody></table>Here is a close up of the quilting.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vqJA7lce7Co/WUkVFE87TNI/AAAAAAAACz0/ekBXbg_n-C89PiYr2tE3DsGH8EzGSUehQCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSCN3526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vqJA7lce7Co/WUkVFE87TNI/AAAAAAAACz0/ekBXbg_n-C89PiYr2tE3DsGH8EzGSUehQCEwYBhgL/s320/DSCN3526.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too cute for words. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br />And......I finished my Allietare, quilted it and gifted it. In a previous post I discussed how I changed the pattern to make it easier.&nbsp; It was a retirement gift for a co-worker.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RDnot6hAynw/WUkVFPt_4jI/AAAAAAAACzw/LKqyiLrDpjoKOYUiXkQHM4Vo-0MF2-uUQCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSCN3524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RDnot6hAynw/WUkVFPt_4jI/AAAAAAAACzw/LKqyiLrDpjoKOYUiXkQHM4Vo-0MF2-uUQCEwYBhgL/s400/DSCN3524.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Allietare-revisted</td></tr></tbody></table><br />This week is a down week. I think I will work on piecing the Hello Garden charity quilt. We are taking a few days off to go on vacation. I have two appointments at Loveland Quilt Workshop to quilt in July. Hopefully I can get my remaining tops quilted during those visits.<br /><br />Back after vacation. Happy piecing everyone.<br /><br /><br />Darlene Contadinohttps://plus.google.com/114219627027227506345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540347293813227691.post-39061246102926052462017-04-06T09:42:00.001-07:002017-04-06T09:42:50.889-07:00Mug Rugging ItOk, I know I kitted up all those Lady of Lake Erie Squares. The truth is I have not felt up to doing much sewing. I had my stem cell transplant on Feb 9th. It's been a little rough going since then. It seems I am not meant to work on Lady of Lake Erie. I've messed up several blocks and then discovered that I miss cut at least a half dozen. Very frustrating to say the least. That project has been set aside for the time being.<br /><br />Not only did I miss cut some of the kits, I discovered that I had actually sewn half of the 40 block I did incorrectly. How could I not see it? How could I make the same mistake over and over? <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oL2EmHhDDdc/WOZsdG8_GsI/AAAAAAAACxo/_CdX4qn2s1gp-OKEpojG_ytK1ONNRyZLgCLcB/s1600/DSCN3498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oL2EmHhDDdc/WOZsdG8_GsI/AAAAAAAACxo/_CdX4qn2s1gp-OKEpojG_ytK1ONNRyZLgCLcB/s320/DSCN3498.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All wrong</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OimBlC5EDCE/WOZsdaEkY7I/AAAAAAAACxs/g2U_rpgNBmQ2n1WsmwbTruC95EZNPZPJACLcB/s1600/DSCN3499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OimBlC5EDCE/WOZsdaEkY7I/AAAAAAAACxs/g2U_rpgNBmQ2n1WsmwbTruC95EZNPZPJACLcB/s320/DSCN3499.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Correct layout.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />The solution? Make mug rugs with my granddaughter Jana. Jana has decided to make mug rugs as end of the year gifts for each of her teachers. This past weekend she made her first two. We used a block pattern from McCalls magazine that allowed for lots of creativity and the use of scraps.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ec-tT7wi6bI/WOZtF8es4oI/AAAAAAAACx4/HRUCT07dTvsebVm8WBlsZnLkGlLxvY4tACLcB/s1600/DSCN3495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ec-tT7wi6bI/WOZtF8es4oI/AAAAAAAACx4/HRUCT07dTvsebVm8WBlsZnLkGlLxvY4tACLcB/s200/DSCN3495.JPG" width="200" /></a>This weekend the color theme was green. Jana started with these two. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OI3oJQ-r2DM/WOZtFj15s1I/AAAAAAAACx0/HzMpMwUeP50sbxgO5zzrE29T487d5kjRACEw/s1600/DSCN3496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OI3oJQ-r2DM/WOZtFj15s1I/AAAAAAAACx0/HzMpMwUeP50sbxgO5zzrE29T487d5kjRACEw/s320/DSCN3496.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OI3oJQ-r2DM/WOZtFj15s1I/AAAAAAAACx0/erudMWVXoNcB6Sfinm6Jjx6esX6m_SG9QCLcB/s1600/DSCN3496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />She is checking with her teachers to discover their favorite colors. We have been using scraps, but I did order one piece of fabric with musical notes for her music teacher.&nbsp;<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1wD7mFUHLUQ/WOZtfWgMbFI/AAAAAAAACx8/cAIZOaVKbuwpdkfj8A9fOzEFd9xwrGAqACLcB/s1600/DSCN3494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1wD7mFUHLUQ/WOZtfWgMbFI/AAAAAAAACx8/cAIZOaVKbuwpdkfj8A9fOzEFd9xwrGAqACLcB/s320/DSCN3494.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool fabric for the music teacher.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />In the meantime, sewing was interrupted by gallbladder surgery. I had mine removed a week ago. I've been uncomfortable, so I have used the time to take apart the Lady of Lake Erie blocks that I screwed up. I've resewed them so now I have 40 out of a 100 blocks done. I have another 10 cut out, but I am taking my time, stopping when I am tired and trying to just enjoy the process.<br /><br />Spring in Cincinnati is always an adventure. Yesterday it was 75, now it is 42. That's the way it goes here.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wnobzknOUlY/WOZuYi4FOoI/AAAAAAAACyE/Th0fAFIC5AImp-_FFZAYoASXg5_WPtVcQCLcB/s1600/DSCN3502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wnobzknOUlY/WOZuYi4FOoI/AAAAAAAACyE/Th0fAFIC5AImp-_FFZAYoASXg5_WPtVcQCLcB/s320/DSCN3502.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;Thank goodness for gas fireplaces.&nbsp; The picture is crooked, but the fire is warm, especially since this is our basement, which is usually cooler anyway. And that is where my computer and sewing machine resides.<br /><br />Finally there is a chance of frost tonight. Hopefully all the plants survive. There are just too many to cover. So we will just deal with whatever happens.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ko1XhK-ZKaM/WOZu1NhLr4I/AAAAAAAACyI/doT3b5z55n8SaWw2xH_MPMaNwn7aiy0twCLcB/s1600/DSCN3504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ko1XhK-ZKaM/WOZu1NhLr4I/AAAAAAAACyI/doT3b5z55n8SaWw2xH_MPMaNwn7aiy0twCLcB/s400/DSCN3504.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hope the flowers are still there in the morning.</td></tr></tbody></table>Happy piecing everyone.<br /><br /><br />Darlene Contadinohttps://plus.google.com/114219627027227506345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540347293813227691.post-29744593417994984992017-02-05T14:55:00.001-08:002017-02-05T14:55:38.813-08:00Time on my hands-Let's start Lady of Lake Erie.I have time on my hands and a lot on my mind, so what a girl to do but sew?&nbsp; I had planned to just gather my fabrics for my Lady of Lake Erie Quilt (which is in Quiltmaker Reader Favorites published Summer 2015). I can see why it was included in this issue. I loved it since I saw it.<br /><br />It took me some time to translate Quiltmaker language into mine. They don't give unit sizes and I wanted to use Bonnie Hunter's Essential Triangle Tool to cut the fabric. I experimented with their instructions and looked at Bonnie's Essential Triangle Tool instructions to come up with the strip size. I made a few test block and I was off to the races.<br /><br />One of my first blocks was a disappointment. I realized that I have to be careful with directional fabrics, as if I am cutting out two blocks at once, one will be reversed. I also realized that one of my neutral fabrics didn't work for the half square triangles.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-obXqsyipTcU/WJenhPEpPfI/AAAAAAAACvo/QpXhfWfhyI0Sd0ZlP59o62uEGjpZGEr-ACLcB/s1600/DSCN3482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-obXqsyipTcU/WJenhPEpPfI/AAAAAAAACvo/QpXhfWfhyI0Sd0ZlP59o62uEGjpZGEr-ACLcB/s320/DSCN3482.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waves going in too many directions, boats got chopped up. Will probably discard.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I had to rethink some of my fabric choices. One of my neutrals quickly became a favorite. I loved the motion of the design and there are even fish tales. Too cute!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--zb-j46NRzM/WJesH7WXWyI/AAAAAAAACwo/KEjx2eAkEK4zYx3Cn78mHOZXbHb0LaeVwCEw/s1600/DSCN3484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--zb-j46NRzM/WJesH7WXWyI/AAAAAAAACwo/KEjx2eAkEK4zYx3Cn78mHOZXbHb0LaeVwCEw/s320/DSCN3484.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute neutral, love the fish tail</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />In some circumstances the reversals where not much a problem.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jKJ7RtpTYdY/WJen0hN-r0I/AAAAAAAACvw/O_Kbt8y1J0k4dBtbSKY2Y6HbQ_NjoXfkACLcB/s1600/DSCN3487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jKJ7RtpTYdY/WJen0hN-r0I/AAAAAAAACvw/O_Kbt8y1J0k4dBtbSKY2Y6HbQ_NjoXfkACLcB/s320/DSCN3487.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Since blocks are also turned on side. This reversal did not bother me.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XEdAxZr5fxg/WJen0eX0oqI/AAAAAAAACvs/al06NIiUnlw_fzfRsLGrV25w0w22GQt8ACLcB/s1600/DSCN3488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XEdAxZr5fxg/WJen0eX0oqI/AAAAAAAACvs/al06NIiUnlw_fzfRsLGrV25w0w22GQt8ACLcB/s320/DSCN3488.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I used a plain fabric for the half square triangles</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h7cdkDUWDAs/WJeoJTrp-6I/AAAAAAAACv0/umSLL81_NJ8oRb1w7T053UvafsDJW5m3gCLcB/s1600/DSCN3486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h7cdkDUWDAs/WJeoJTrp-6I/AAAAAAAACv0/umSLL81_NJ8oRb1w7T053UvafsDJW5m3gCLcB/s200/DSCN3486.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GeJ7fS4UBTY/WJeoOLNzl0I/AAAAAAAACv4/UVKIKjTFGm8OG9XXQpePyarsTWWJ1CoUACLcB/s1600/DSCN3485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GeJ7fS4UBTY/WJeoOLNzl0I/AAAAAAAACv4/UVKIKjTFGm8OG9XXQpePyarsTWWJ1CoUACLcB/s200/DSCN3485.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />I went through my stash trying various combinations.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Before I realized it I had 28 blocks completed.&nbsp; I will need 100 for the queen size quilt. I will probably make at least two block from each fabric, perhaps four. <br /><br />I like to kit up units and cut out another 20 blocks. Then I thought about how to keep them organized, especially as they probably would not be completed before I go to the hospital for my stem cell transplant. I decided to chain the pieces for each block together. That way I will have the pieces together for each block. Nothing can be misplaced. Unless I misplace the entire block.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d7h7xZjm5ZE/WJepE6BX2sI/AAAAAAAACwI/tk10dbOnxicE2qvRF7VhyqHhXXCAIItOwCLcB/s1600/DSCN3493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d7h7xZjm5ZE/WJepE6BX2sI/AAAAAAAACwI/tk10dbOnxicE2qvRF7VhyqHhXXCAIItOwCLcB/s320/DSCN3493.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">string piecing the block pieces</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I am not sure if I will sew more before Wednesday, but if I do the blocks are read to go. I just need to press the seams and sew them together. If not they are all set in a zip lock bag awaiting my return.<br /><br />The finally diversion for the weekend was having my lovely granddaughter over. She started a tumbler quilt many months ago and decided she wanted to get it pieced before I went into the hospital. She did everything: picking fabrics, cutting pieces, sewing, etc. We plan to take it to the Loveland Quilt Workshop when I am able, so she can experience the quilting process. Here is her quilt.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K79_rO5kvyw/WJep1wOyOKI/AAAAAAAACwQ/YV8xwKdERXoAZFijxH3AG1rvgt9Q8hXnACLcB/s1600/DSCN3490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K79_rO5kvyw/WJep1wOyOKI/AAAAAAAACwQ/YV8xwKdERXoAZFijxH3AG1rvgt9Q8hXnACLcB/s320/DSCN3490.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />Here she is working away, always with a smile.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vEoGEtBO6Lo/WJeqDpBYQfI/AAAAAAAACwU/Klm8bjkL3HMoIcDJrRKcX_c1VmxGp-WAwCLcB/s1600/DSCN3489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vEoGEtBO6Lo/WJeqDpBYQfI/AAAAAAAACwU/Klm8bjkL3HMoIcDJrRKcX_c1VmxGp-WAwCLcB/s320/DSCN3489.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just having sew much fun!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>I was not able to get time at the longarm machine this week, so I will have a stack of tops to quilt when my immune system allows me to get out and about. You can bet that Jana's will be one of the first.<br /><br />Everyone take care, and have fun piecing. I'll be back around March first, God willing.Darlene Contadinohttps://plus.google.com/114219627027227506345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540347293813227691.post-21370137061359447632017-01-28T11:01:00.002-08:002017-01-28T11:01:40.195-08:00Joyful, Joyful Alliertare Revisited CompleteLast post I mentioned I was working on Allietare and had decided to make some design changes. Frankly I was just tired of piecing and could not face a few hundred half square triangles, so I replaced one pieced unit with a 3 1/2 inch square. I wasn't in the mood for setting triangles either so I decided to alternate the blocks rather than place them as Bonnie had in the pattern. I also made the quilt a square, rather than rectangle.&nbsp; Oh, I was so bold....lol...and I am very happy with the way it turned out. And I am so happy she does not mind us making the modifications to suit our needs. I'm calling my quilt Allietare Revisited.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VyHnbHVeW08/WIzjiz9oMyI/AAAAAAAACuk/LUHB8FtgyvgLXRwvriwyVvfiZIbIThA_wCLcB/s1600/DSCN3477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VyHnbHVeW08/WIzjiz9oMyI/AAAAAAAACuk/LUHB8FtgyvgLXRwvriwyVvfiZIbIThA_wCLcB/s320/DSCN3477.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of blocks.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The transition was not without problems. Because of how I pressed my blocks (toward the dark) some of the seams did not nest. This left me with a few less than perfect points. Despite that I am really happy with how it turned out.<br /><br />I debated one or two borders but decided on one red, basically because it was what I had the most of.&nbsp; I plan on using&nbsp; black as a binding, and have a neutral with black backing. I am so very pleased with how this little gamble turned out. I plan to gift this quilt and am sure the recipient will be tickled with it.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XJY-jyx4ZN4/WIzkgQJP7NI/AAAAAAAACuw/ndJPLkAZTqIORZ-HhnooLhm7l1KCsy2pwCLcB/s1600/DSCN3478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XJY-jyx4ZN4/WIzkgQJP7NI/AAAAAAAACuw/ndJPLkAZTqIORZ-HhnooLhm7l1KCsy2pwCLcB/s400/DSCN3478.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished top-to be quilted</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>On another note, the doctors where successful in collecting stem cells for my stem cell transplant. I will be admitted on Feb 8th and be in the hospital two to three weeks.<br /><br />I am hoping to get an appointment to quilt this week. Perhaps someone will no show or not need the entire day to quilt. Although I have three other quilts to be quilted this one is my priority and since I like to use simple quilt designs it should go pretty quick. If I can get it quilted and the binding machine sewn I can do the hand stitching as I recover. I am repeating myself, but this quilt is making me so happy. I think partly that is because I had the fabric but never got to start it because I was diagnosed with the Multiple Myeloma in 2015 right as the mystery started. It feels like a real accomplishment to have it done, and to get it quilted will be "better than sliced bread". It like this quilt and I have been on a journey together.<br /><br />Although I will be out of commission for nearly a month I do have my fabric selected and set aside for my next project. Last post I showed some of my fabrics for Lady of Lake Erie. Here are a few new neutrals I purchased. I know I really did not NEED them. But I wanted the quilt fabrics to reflect Lake Erie and was delighted to find these fabrics.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oietiNjEteI/WIzmjhAdYPI/AAAAAAAACvE/y1LeWNnKOIUnWjps0gCOnyoX2t5ptbtzgCLcB/s1600/DSCN3471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oietiNjEteI/WIzmjhAdYPI/AAAAAAAACvE/y1LeWNnKOIUnWjps0gCOnyoX2t5ptbtzgCLcB/s320/DSCN3471.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vYg3N4hlmGY/WIzmjcJlw8I/AAAAAAAACvA/56SF310JoOoLYdFb0fHAC01MzHww9qoLwCLcB/s1600/DSCN3472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vYg3N4hlmGY/WIzmjcJlw8I/AAAAAAAACvA/56SF310JoOoLYdFb0fHAC01MzHww9qoLwCLcB/s320/DSCN3472.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure about this one. It is kind of big, but might work in the border.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DzAO0_oD1kY/WIzmjSIkFQI/AAAAAAAACu8/2OxBH_glkM8k7-B0dmD4Yk-uRt2FLasywCLcB/s1600/DSCN3470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DzAO0_oD1kY/WIzmjSIkFQI/AAAAAAAACu8/2OxBH_glkM8k7-B0dmD4Yk-uRt2FLasywCLcB/s320/DSCN3470.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't you just love the nautical prints?</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Here is another picture of the blues and the pattern.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vbyxz8ABRZQ/WIzoBsnWPlI/AAAAAAAACvU/ZT9G20h5K1YmsVaHt5oruS34KiWXhnUHACLcB/s1600/DSCN3455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vbyxz8ABRZQ/WIzoBsnWPlI/AAAAAAAACvU/ZT9G20h5K1YmsVaHt5oruS34KiWXhnUHACLcB/s320/DSCN3455.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May decide to leave out the grey.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-53CKfdaMzvI/WIzn7QVSK1I/AAAAAAAACvQ/arTXn7Zabw4E9Hv_pdHlhioTBUee0e0VACEw/s1600/DSCN3454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-53CKfdaMzvI/WIzn7QVSK1I/AAAAAAAACvQ/arTXn7Zabw4E9Hv_pdHlhioTBUee0e0VACEw/s320/DSCN3454.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />It takes 100 blocks for the queen size of this quilt. I figured it will keep me busy and I can just do a block or two at a time as I recover. Even if I don't feel up to sewing when I get home I can cut or just pet my fabric till I feel better.&nbsp; <br /><br /><br />Thanks for checking in and happy piecing.<br /><br />Darlene Contadinohttps://plus.google.com/114219627027227506345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540347293813227691.post-35146538190003744412017-01-22T04:24:00.001-08:002017-01-22T04:24:56.572-08:00En Provence completed. Time to revisit Allietare.It's done!&nbsp; All the piecing is done anyway. Obviously it still needs to be quilted. It may be a few months before that happens. For now it is safely tucked away in it's bin. I am looking at backings. I am considering a lavender. I also like the dark purple, but worry a little about fading.<br /><br />There is one quilt in front of En Provence. Once that is quilted En Provence will be completed. I need to rent time at the LQS and they have a pretty full calendar.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_sO3ScQqvYQ/WIQZdldHVAI/AAAAAAAACto/gIczs96CoNwjlcpMKBl0w3HmFxn62BYjQCLcB/s1600/DSCN3453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_sO3ScQqvYQ/WIQZdldHVAI/AAAAAAAACto/gIczs96CoNwjlcpMKBl0w3HmFxn62BYjQCLcB/s400/DSCN3453.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This is not the best picture, but I am loving this quilt pattern. I especially like that border of four patches. I would have never thought of that myself.<br /><br />I admire how many of those doing the quilt made modifications to the pattern to suit themselves. This is not something I've done in the past. Oh I've changed colors, but never really changed the pattern. I was please to see Bonnie Hunter post on her blog that she is okay with that and that she enjoys seeing the ways quilters have modified her design. I kept that in mind as I got back to piecing Allietare.<br /><br />I've been working on Allietare along with En Provence. I have to admit I need a break from complicated piecing so, inspired by other quilters, I decided to make some changes.<br /><br />First let me share about the battle of the greys. Bonnie used a constant for her grey and I have been auditioning these for some time.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pVQjxSnU3XY/WIQaSwZY_EI/AAAAAAAACtw/Yzi16fXVDhAd-V94vaNJLCW63GhLBLxVwCLcB/s1600/DSCN3462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pVQjxSnU3XY/WIQaSwZY_EI/AAAAAAAACtw/Yzi16fXVDhAd-V94vaNJLCW63GhLBLxVwCLcB/s320/DSCN3462.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Battle of the greys</td></tr></tbody></table>I finally decided on the solid grey because it was...well....solid. I thought it would keep the blocks from looking too busy.<br /><br />However along the way I got tired. I kept looking at the pattern for the second block and decided I did not want to do all those half square triangles( a few hundred) I decided to use a 3 1/2 inch square in it's place. I auditioned both greys again and this time decided to go with the floral. I chose it for several reasons. First when I tried the solid grey it did not look very joyful to me. It fact it looked bland. I think the floral adds some movement and color. (as Bonnie's block was grey and white with black). This is what I came up with.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-scTJnu6CUEQ/WIQbPAPhEMI/AAAAAAAACt4/K5yNSAVHA_M_oWUnm3ivkF7pUfYItZmewCLcB/s1600/DSCN3460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-scTJnu6CUEQ/WIQbPAPhEMI/AAAAAAAACt4/K5yNSAVHA_M_oWUnm3ivkF7pUfYItZmewCLcB/s320/DSCN3460.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br />I also decided I did not want to layout the blocks on an angle, and no setting triangles. I guess the best way to explain it is I'm trying to keep it simple.<br /><br />This is the new layout. Not all the blocks are pieced, but you can get an idea of what this should look like.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TZJL8lhMJMk/WIQb2J7_teI/AAAAAAAACt8/zAUetZp6mTcbrzhwX4B9-OYuqlOlyL1kgCLcB/s1600/DSCN3463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TZJL8lhMJMk/WIQb2J7_teI/AAAAAAAACt8/zAUetZp6mTcbrzhwX4B9-OYuqlOlyL1kgCLcB/s400/DSCN3463.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Allietare Revisted</td></tr></tbody></table>I like how the floral blocks work in the quilt. I think the gold ties into the yellow/gold of the other blocks. Did you notice that another four patch forms where the blocks come together. Purely by accident. I still have seven blocks to completed before I layout the quilt and sew the blocks together. I am thinking of a thin red border and then a little wider black border.<br /><br />I'm in no rush, so I have no idea when it will be finished. At this point I'm going through what they call mobilization.&nbsp; This is a process to help me get ready for harvesting my stem cells for transplantation. Last time it was a bust, so hopefully things will go better this time.<br /><br />Just taking it a day at a time. Happy piecing everyone.Darlene Contadinohttps://plus.google.com/114219627027227506345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540347293813227691.post-38538527258333836112017-01-10T09:25:00.004-08:002017-01-10T09:25:54.742-08:00En Provence, Half Way There.I have been taking it easy and trying to make as few mistakes as possible on this quilt. And when I make one I fix it. I am surely not the speediest, but I am getting there.<br /><br />I want to thank whoever posted the idea of putting this quilt together in quarters. It really does make it easier to handle and there is a sense of accomplishment as each section comes together. I have completed half of the quilt and have the 3rd quarter together, with the exception of the borders.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xt_tIolOfQo/WHUNwtDMfkI/AAAAAAAACs4/N262cnFBA_Yc0PZvGhKjzOft21zEV7AoACLcB/s1600/DSCN3448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xt_tIolOfQo/WHUNwtDMfkI/AAAAAAAACs4/N262cnFBA_Yc0PZvGhKjzOft21zEV7AoACLcB/s400/DSCN3448.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half finished except for outer border</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I am saving the outside border until I have the entire quilt together. This is to be sure I have a nice balance in the neutrals. Many of the neutral blocks have a pearly lavender fabric and I want that to be distributed through out the quilt. Waiting till the end for the last border allows me to be sure that happens.<br /><br />I have limited diversity in my greens, but I have fabric that has lots diversity in the design. This example illustrates what I mean.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d_57Xc-eQqY/WHUOrZd9KDI/AAAAAAAACtE/VI9we23Kt1YEFZoNPkvlDmlWvygOhTqkgCLcB/s1600/DSCN3439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d_57Xc-eQqY/WHUOrZd9KDI/AAAAAAAACtE/VI9we23Kt1YEFZoNPkvlDmlWvygOhTqkgCLcB/s320/DSCN3439.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my greens</td></tr></tbody></table>As you can see when it's cut there are many options and from end to end it does not looks like the same fabric. I love this kind of fabric.&nbsp; Although I had limited fabrics I am okay with how it turned out.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ODnptpX-514/WHUPJ18B-jI/AAAAAAAACtM/ew2AP0HWvWMhTjX9s5xl9zpTuTSX9hbcgCLcB/s1600/DSCN3444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ODnptpX-514/WHUPJ18B-jI/AAAAAAAACtM/ew2AP0HWvWMhTjX9s5xl9zpTuTSX9hbcgCLcB/s320/DSCN3444.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using my greens</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I also dug into my stash and found a few more neutrals to add. I had no idea I had this many neutrals, and I did not even touch the creamy neutrals. I loved the paw prints and the fur (second from top). I tried to use these with blocks that have cats.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6mvJfKYHxj0/WHUPJq2JU5I/AAAAAAAACtI/A8eWNpAI7Z87k-h24s2atS0kcDjE-sR3QCEw/s1600/DSCN3443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6mvJfKYHxj0/WHUPJq2JU5I/AAAAAAAACtI/A8eWNpAI7Z87k-h24s2atS0kcDjE-sR3QCEw/s320/DSCN3443.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new neutrals</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Working with a quarter of the quilt really works with my process. I may have mentioned in the past, for the most part I don't do production sewing. I like to kit up sections and work through those, finishing one piece or section at a time. This is my 3rd quarter without the sashes. You know I even like this layout. Wouldn't they make neat old fashion Christmas ornaments?<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-egdx6miJInU/WHUPSE0PlFI/AAAAAAAACtY/bH2Xoixnig08cIqXdeYYIPGbSMA709S9wCEw/s1600/DSCN3449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-egdx6miJInU/WHUPSE0PlFI/AAAAAAAACtY/bH2Xoixnig08cIqXdeYYIPGbSMA709S9wCEw/s320/DSCN3449.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3rd quarter of quilt</td></tr></tbody></table>Next I kitted up the sashing units. I'll piece them together, attach them to the blocks, and then piece together the last four blocks together. Another quarter will be done. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I1RYJHTm-FQ/WHUPScZMIsI/AAAAAAAACtY/aj_If_sCZMMEmIyv8jV1Tle2GhIU9sJdQCEw/s1600/DSCN3450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I1RYJHTm-FQ/WHUPScZMIsI/AAAAAAAACtY/aj_If_sCZMMEmIyv8jV1Tle2GhIU9sJdQCEw/s320/DSCN3450.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sashing kits</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Hopefully I'll have this all done before Bonnie's next link-up. I'm feeling pretty optimistic. My healthy and energy is holding up. I'm taking my time and doing pretty good; seams are nesting nicely and only a few pieces have been sewn upside down. I'm trying to do quality checks at each step so I can catch miss sews early, and correct them.<br /><br />I'm am really enjoying this process and seeing what everyone else is doing. There are many interpretations of the quilts, as quilters added their own creativity to Bonnie's pattern. Check out the link to see everyone's posts. <a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2017/01/mystery-monday-link-up-part-6-7.html" target="_blank">http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2017/01/mystery-monday-link-up-part-6-7.html.</a><br /><br />My plan, which I always pursue lightly, is to have the quilt together by the weekend. Next week I will work on the outer border, and order wide backing. I'm not sure what color or pattern I want to use. I guess I'll have to do some browsing to find just the right fabric.<br /><br />Last step is to schedule some time with the long arm machine at Loveland Quilt Studio.<br />My brain is already steps ahead. Allietare is still a work in progress. I have also had my eye on Crisscross Applesauce and Lady of Lady Erie, two other of Bonnie's patterns. That should keep me busy for a while, and reduce my stash a little too.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Darlene Contadinohttps://plus.google.com/114219627027227506345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540347293813227691.post-83985897412219712262016-12-26T10:29:00.001-08:002016-12-26T10:29:50.076-08:00En Provence Part 5 and the HolidayOh I was feeling so smug. It was Christmas Eve afternoon. The presents were wrapped, food cooked, table set and I had hours with nothing to do. Seemed like a perfect time to start on Clue 5.&nbsp; I even had Bonnie's new tool. I was ready to go. I cut the first two 3 1/2 inch strips with no trouble. Two cuts into the third and I did it. Yep, ran that rotary cutter right over the tip of my finger. Blood everywhere, thank goodness I got pressure on it and didn't get blood on my fabric. (we know our priorities, right?).<br /><br />My platelets are low so it took some time for the bleeding to stop. Then when I pulled the "non-stick" pad off to change it, it stuck and started to bleed all over again. What excitement! Needless to say no more cutting or sewing for that day, or the next. Today is Monday and I am able to cut the remaining half square triangles without incident. They are sewn and pressed. I still need to trim my dog ears. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CAJ3AlUDZHo/WGFFayhvOXI/AAAAAAAACsc/yy43WaGncVkui5z-XxtNk9kj6pO7oBb0gCLcB/s1600/DSCN3426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CAJ3AlUDZHo/WGFFayhvOXI/AAAAAAAACsc/yy43WaGncVkui5z-XxtNk9kj6pO7oBb0gCLcB/s400/DSCN3426.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half square triangles</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>For this step I purposely chose to go controlled scrappy. I only used four combinations, picking up some neutrals I only used in step 1. I am getting more excited with each step. Did I mention I love purple?<br /><br />Click this link to see what progress everyone else is making: <a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2016/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-5.html" target="_blank">http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2016/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-5.html</a><br /><br />After my incident with the rotary cutter I had an uneventful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Our traditions may be a little different than others. No turkey or ham. Christmas day I prepared stuffed pasta shells (half with meat and half with cheese) covered with sauce.&nbsp; Of course garlic olives, Asiago cheese, salad with olive oil and wine vinegar and Pizzelle for desert. Perfect o. Yes I did Americanize it with a Cherry Cheesecake.<br /><br />I did not do anything on Alliertare this past week. Perhaps later on this week as I wait for the next clue. Can't wait to see what is next. Happy piecing everyone.Darlene Contadinohttps://plus.google.com/114219627027227506345noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540347293813227691.post-30172815442072576032016-12-20T12:24:00.001-08:002016-12-20T12:24:55.167-08:00EnProvence Part 4 and moreIt's been a busy week, so I'm glad that the clue for Part 4 is easy. I am actually starting to enjoy these tri-rec rulers. I think I've got it, althought I still am not doing it assembly line like Bonnie does. I'm doing one unit at a time.&nbsp; I'm not in a hurry and like to see each unit to completion before going on to the next. I love how the units are matching where the corners come together. And I am glad I went fairly scrappy for this one. I need to find a way to use this block in another quilt. I am thinking just add some gold and green and it would have a New Orleans flair.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bvhzV9oOLzU/WFlS8tt6lMI/AAAAAAAACrk/IKRv_vVtZIEVSY3SFVz-FiP8i5knblWqgCLcB/s1600/DSCN3408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bvhzV9oOLzU/WFlS8tt6lMI/AAAAAAAACrk/IKRv_vVtZIEVSY3SFVz-FiP8i5knblWqgCLcB/s320/DSCN3408.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty Purples</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />I was able to finish all the units on the first day. This is a sample.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gyXIb9Fpz7Y/WFlTWaHtnVI/AAAAAAAACro/Ohzs9n2VHAM5GAYkuN4KNwtv6sVjkfN1ACLcB/s1600/DSCN3403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gyXIb9Fpz7Y/WFlTWaHtnVI/AAAAAAAACro/Ohzs9n2VHAM5GAYkuN4KNwtv6sVjkfN1ACLcB/s320/DSCN3403.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sample of units.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Click on this link to see everyones progress: <a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2016/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-4.html" target="_blank">http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2016/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-4.html</a> . Everyone is doing such amazing work.<br /><br />In past posts I shared I am also working on Alliertare. I only finished five blocks last week. Another six are partially together. I had hoped to finish them today. Unfortunately my husband put some sealer on one of his woodworking projects. The entire back of the basement smells awful. No sewing today.<br /><br />I decided to go ahead and kit up some of the secondary blocks for Alliertare. Bonnie calls this the Echoes of Pisa Block.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--1RV_B7MSV4/WFmMSb6AZbI/AAAAAAAACr8/6R6u4Zciffo2G3ZK7i6z9hpUB-zJUsBRgCLcB/s1600/DSCN3410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--1RV_B7MSV4/WFmMSb6AZbI/AAAAAAAACr8/6R6u4Zciffo2G3ZK7i6z9hpUB-zJUsBRgCLcB/s320/DSCN3410.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br />I need to cut the two inch squares for the corners of the red rectangles. I am loving the colors of this quilt. I've thought about making another in Christmas fabric once this and En Provence is completed. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FOU67aW7FQk/WFmNJmfWqWI/AAAAAAAACsE/i4i0ApqQE18rffk_1Qkl8tRCAjyXAbdEACLcB/s1600/DSCN3409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FOU67aW7FQk/WFmNJmfWqWI/AAAAAAAACsE/i4i0ApqQE18rffk_1Qkl8tRCAjyXAbdEACLcB/s320/DSCN3409.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />The unit on the bottom right is what I am kitting up now. I am skipping the half square triangles unit on the left for&nbsp; now. I probably won't get to them until after the first of the year.&nbsp; I am guessing with this Friday's clue and Christmas there may not be time for much extra sewing.<br /><br />The best news for last. The last bone marrow I had done showed no Myeloma. I am officially in remission. The last series of chemo has taken it's toll and it has only been since Monday that my counts are out of the critcal numbers and I am able to get out and socialize "with caution". This means Christmas plans with family are on. It will just be a small gathering,&nbsp; less than a dozen. It will be so nice to have everyone together.<br /><br />I still need a stem cell transplant, so things stay in remission. The counts are still not high enough to collect stem cells. The doctor feels optimistic after the first we will get there.&nbsp;&nbsp; For now I am enjoying my blessings. Merry Christmas everyone. Can't wait to see what Bonnie has cooked up for us this coming Friday.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Darlene Contadinohttps://plus.google.com/114219627027227506345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540347293813227691.post-37107996851434502592016-12-12T12:28:00.003-08:002016-12-12T12:28:32.664-08:00En Provence- Part 3 and the joy continuesYahoo, another step is done. A repeat of step one, only in purple.&nbsp; This means more four patches to piece, spin and press. Following Bonnie's instructions resulted in another successful step. I have very few pieces that didn't come out right. Here is a sample of my purple four patches.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wUd6jivfesQ/WE6U6oXY8AI/AAAAAAAACqU/506cB0MZ1c8ysF0X_pqlHXG4xcQrzLxrwCLcB/s1600/DSCN3401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wUd6jivfesQ/WE6U6oXY8AI/AAAAAAAACqU/506cB0MZ1c8ysF0X_pqlHXG4xcQrzLxrwCLcB/s400/DSCN3401.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sample of four patches</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;I pulled even more purples from my stash. I discovered I had lots more dark purples than lavenders, but still managed to find enough diversity to make things work. Here are some of the fabrics I am using to make the last of the four patches.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ROg1eyjp0wg/WE6VBlum5xI/AAAAAAAACqk/C7Vrwe1OHeEkHK43FWSZFJ1fp1B4eH7TgCLcB/s1600/DSCN3402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ROg1eyjp0wg/WE6VBlum5xI/AAAAAAAACqk/C7Vrwe1OHeEkHK43FWSZFJ1fp1B4eH7TgCLcB/s320/DSCN3402.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last of fabrics for four patches.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;I am so happy I took a class here in Cincinnati from Bonnie this spring. One of the quilts I made was Cathedral Stars, which used the tri-rec ruler and had four patches. She taught us how to spin our seams during the workshop. Once you get the skill down, it is amazing how easy it is, how much flatter your quilt is, and how nice the seam nest.&nbsp; <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-evuFhEuSMKw/WE6VBHD_h8I/AAAAAAAACqo/VsvWAt_NCBEwsDJMHAK5I8U5Oo8woZymACEw/s1600/DSCN3399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-evuFhEuSMKw/WE6VBHD_h8I/AAAAAAAACqo/VsvWAt_NCBEwsDJMHAK5I8U5Oo8woZymACEw/s320/DSCN3399.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yahoo-spun seams</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table>As I tried to spin seams and press my blocks I discovered that if I am having trouble it has to do with my sewing.&nbsp; If my seams are not nested they won't spin. Even a miss sew as small as below prevented spinning. Luckily I had less than a half dozen like this. It's amazing how much better things work when I follow Bonnie's instructions!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r40SsDV1XzY/WE6VBEJc0AI/AAAAAAAACqg/VPduc4IXmDEvbz8sEoQeaIByrK4iCwCRQCLcB/s1600/DSCN3400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r40SsDV1XzY/WE6VBEJc0AI/AAAAAAAACqg/VPduc4IXmDEvbz8sEoQeaIByrK4iCwCRQCLcB/s320/DSCN3400.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">slightly off block<br /><br />Check out what everyone is doing on Bonnie's Monday link-up. Here is the link.Enjoy!<br /><a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2016/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-3.html" target="_blank">http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2016/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-3.html</a><br />&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table>It's hard to say what the remaining parts of En Provence will bring. I have a feeling the easier parts are behind us. I'm just a little nervous about how involved the remaining steps might be.&nbsp; <br />Having finished my step 3&nbsp; I am moving on to the joy of Alliertre. I have 15 star blocks completed, and 15 to go.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2w9ae7IaaLM/WE6cRbi70nI/AAAAAAAACq0/0nQlvqw1NwkGKJcfEulcCEya9OEFojVjACLcB/s1600/DSCN3398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2w9ae7IaaLM/WE6cRbi70nI/AAAAAAAACq0/0nQlvqw1NwkGKJcfEulcCEya9OEFojVjACLcB/s320/DSCN3398.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12 of my finished star blocks.</td></tr></tbody></table>The rest are made into kits, which I try to do two at a time. If I can continue this progress I may have this step done by Christmas, and maybe even by next week. Who knows? It all depends on my energy, which is a day to day thing. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zEANOmmyu3k/WE6cl9FBVHI/AAAAAAAACq8/K1XcBDObrvUJgUVPU9K1-CJTbqRRSgOEACLcB/s1600/DSCN3395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zEANOmmyu3k/WE6cl9FBVHI/AAAAAAAACq8/K1XcBDObrvUJgUVPU9K1-CJTbqRRSgOEACLcB/s320/DSCN3395.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Star kits</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>I am so grateful for these mysteries and the ability to sew. My white counts and platelets are still very low so my social life is very restricted (can't go anywhere). The ability to sew is a life saver. It keeps me active and involved in something productive. If I didn't have this I'd be pulling out my hair....wait, I have no hair....never mind...lol.<br /><br />I am dividing my time between sewing, and getting ready for Christmas. The great room and the dining room are decorated. This year we put a quilt around the base of the great room tree. It was the cat's idea. Now his favorite pass time is to nestle up in the quilt and sleep under the tree.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RoGizDmjAqA/WE6dVI5GUgI/AAAAAAAACrI/quwM3n43UXMHmKKD-NfhAAXBms7Z31FMACLcB/s1600/DSCN3390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RoGizDmjAqA/WE6dVI5GUgI/AAAAAAAACrI/quwM3n43UXMHmKKD-NfhAAXBms7Z31FMACLcB/s320/DSCN3390.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A great place to cozy up.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Several years ago, when my grandchildren were little we started the tradition of decorating a smaller tree with Santa and snowmen ornaments. We also had ornaments with family members names on them, and since our grandchildren have names that are hard to find (Gian and Jana) we started putting their pictures in ornaments on the tree. Every few years we add another picture. As you can imagine our collection of pictures has grown. This makes this tree especially fun and special to decorate. When they come to visit it is fun to search for the pictures each year.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OuSoxJ4G3mA/WE6dX0x_fEI/AAAAAAAACrM/B2r8ZoInVXAb8_Km1MyPt7EpcZZAd9nTwCLcB/s1600/DSCN3392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OuSoxJ4G3mA/WE6dX0x_fEI/AAAAAAAACrM/B2r8ZoInVXAb8_Km1MyPt7EpcZZAd9nTwCLcB/s320/DSCN3392.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining room ready for Santa</td></tr></tbody></table>Thanks for checking in, hope things are going well for everyone. Happy piecing!<br /><br /><br />Darlene Contadinohttps://plus.google.com/114219627027227506345noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540347293813227691.post-1857519119124249252016-12-05T05:42:00.001-08:002016-12-05T16:30:34.939-08:00Lemons, Lemonade and En Provence-Step 2-It's been a week of good and not so good, lemons and lemonade. First the doctor says my immune system, blood, platelets are too low to attempt a stem cell collection. If things work out and my numbers recover they may try to collect them around Christmas. The good news is I will be home for the holidays, with family and able to complete the current mystery. At the very least I will be able to get all the steps/lessons printed so I can continue to work on it until I can complete it. So much better than last year when I spent nearly three weeks in the hospital, including Christmas and New Years. No Mystery Quilt for 2015.<br /><br />Fortunately to date the En Provence steps have been fairly easy to complete. As of this writing I only have 10 units to do on step II. There should be no problems getting them done, and I will have plenty of time during the week to work on Allietare. <br /><br />I have never been a fan of the Tri-Rec ruler. That's because it's been a challenge to get it right. I've made progress with this tool since I first used it on Celtic Solstice.&nbsp; This is the fourth project using it. I still have not achieved perfection. Who gets it right 100%? Not me.<br /><br />What I do love is the magenta constant used in this unit.&nbsp; I think adds a spark to this quilt and I am very curious to see how this unit will be used in the quilt. My magenta?&nbsp; My selection is not exactly magenta, but it does work well with the fabrics in my stash. It's a Moda Grunge.&nbsp; I have to admit that I absolutely love Moda Grunge.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can't tell from the picture below, but some of the darker areas are actually purple. It should play well with the&nbsp; purples in the quilt.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fPgcuzgVLL8/WESIWo3KtpI/AAAAAAAACpI/7QiN-VDz1NMAcbKUVMkATVCP9mOs5lUVgCLcB/s1600/DSCN3384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fPgcuzgVLL8/WESIWo3KtpI/AAAAAAAACpI/7QiN-VDz1NMAcbKUVMkATVCP9mOs5lUVgCLcB/s400/DSCN3384.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moda grunge -my constant</td></tr></tbody></table>I used some different neutrals in Step II, and left some of those from Step I out. I decided I wanted fabrics with a nature feel to them, so made the switch as shown below.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KhwzjieGiWE/WESI4T2EvgI/AAAAAAAACpM/p9Gd-z0CRRAcIK3yPGkmHR9OkWTF5n22ACLcB/s1600/DSCN3385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KhwzjieGiWE/WESI4T2EvgI/AAAAAAAACpM/p9Gd-z0CRRAcIK3yPGkmHR9OkWTF5n22ACLcB/s400/DSCN3385.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step II</td></tr></tbody></table>Once I finish this step I plan to spend the rest of the week working on Allietare.&nbsp; I have made&nbsp; kits for the Allietare stars.&nbsp; These are the fabric selections.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-the2Zi6Njb4/WESJkSb0HSI/AAAAAAAACpc/TZE887hpFgMxSlyY5M62T3HVvikDFvuPwCLcB/s1600/DSCN3379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-the2Zi6Njb4/WESJkSb0HSI/AAAAAAAACpc/TZE887hpFgMxSlyY5M62T3HVvikDFvuPwCLcB/s320/DSCN3379.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9EMisxHRNKE/WESJj6aj4tI/AAAAAAAACpU/lAV639z0vdcX5EQH_rg5PFStS3H_mAFcQCLcB/s1600/DSCN3380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9EMisxHRNKE/WESJj6aj4tI/AAAAAAAACpU/lAV639z0vdcX5EQH_rg5PFStS3H_mAFcQCLcB/s320/DSCN3380.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YL_oRMdXn7U/WESJkIxQNqI/AAAAAAAACpY/BgyAZS36M3o8LY8DBabn9wUtiEoTR548wCLcB/s1600/DSCN3381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YL_oRMdXn7U/WESJkIxQNqI/AAAAAAAACpY/BgyAZS36M3o8LY8DBabn9wUtiEoTR548wCLcB/s320/DSCN3381.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N48vdVcDIDk/WESJk9O9ibI/AAAAAAAACpg/j0574-8QmvkxOZ91yZlSv3u9l3-8yNcRACLcB/s1600/DSCN3382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N48vdVcDIDk/WESJk9O9ibI/AAAAAAAACpg/j0574-8QmvkxOZ91yZlSv3u9l3-8yNcRACLcB/s320/DSCN3382.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YoEvDZZHvmw/WESJk74vJrI/AAAAAAAACpk/IcPl5nC64mM3aiVgja226pVDSyfOVBU5ACLcB/s1600/DSCN3383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YoEvDZZHvmw/WESJk74vJrI/AAAAAAAACpk/IcPl5nC64mM3aiVgja226pVDSyfOVBU5ACLcB/s320/DSCN3383.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />So far I have only completed two blocks. I am hoping to do a block per day. Or at least one every other day. This first block is fairly simple. I think I need 30. They should go together without too much trouble. &nbsp; However the next block is more involved and may take more time. For now it is keeping me busy between steps. If the En Provence steps become more difficult Allietare will take the back seat. After all the fabric sat in a bin for a year, another month or so won't matter. These are the two I have complete. I'm really loving the one with the floral center.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CyBu_GqZ-fs/WESKZtZL-rI/AAAAAAAACpo/Wfl63zhgfWkYua--YZcksF7qPmHSKym_wCLcB/s1600/DSCN3386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CyBu_GqZ-fs/WESKZtZL-rI/AAAAAAAACpo/Wfl63zhgfWkYua--YZcksF7qPmHSKym_wCLcB/s320/DSCN3386.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ngjpIL55q1o/WESKdpk0z6I/AAAAAAAACps/nVBYJvEsUm4f-6GeaciFgjals4XM94f0QCLcB/s1600/DSCN3387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ngjpIL55q1o/WESKdpk0z6I/AAAAAAAACps/nVBYJvEsUm4f-6GeaciFgjals4XM94f0QCLcB/s320/DSCN3387.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Did you every see something you didn't NEED, but just really HAD to have? That happened to me last week. I've been collecting Department 56 New England Village houses for decades. I have about a dozen, and most were purchased for sentimental reasons. For example, my maiden name is Bowman. They happened to have a Bowman's Fiddle Shop, and my granddad played a fiddle. My mom's name is Dorothy, so I purchased Dorothy's Skate House. My husband loves to work with wood, so I have Otter Creek Sawmill. He likes to fish, so we have the fish cannery. You get the idea.&nbsp;&nbsp; This year part of the collection is on our living room mantel. This isn't a very good picture, but it gives you an idea. These are the city houses. I have another set up, country/seaside, on my mantel in our family room.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FqXwGw5HpNU/WEViQe9zLiI/AAAAAAAACqE/IpraWs7KqQINL6Rw_eohjANpSvXJPCBUACLcB/s1600/DSCN3377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FqXwGw5HpNU/WEViQe9zLiI/AAAAAAAACqE/IpraWs7KqQINL6Rw_eohjANpSvXJPCBUACLcB/s320/DSCN3377.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />So when I was browsing Amazon and came across this quilt shop I HAD to purchase it. Isn't it adorable? Don't you just love those quilts hanging over the railings? It's installed in it's place (3rd from the right side on the mantel).<br /><br />&nbsp;Can't wait to see everyone's progress on Bonnie's link-up tonight. Happy piecing everyone. <a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2016/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-2.html" target="_blank">http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2016/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-2.html</a><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Department 56 4050955 New England Village, Calico Quilts" class="a-dynamic-image a-stretch-vertical" data-a-dynamic-image="{&quot;https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71z7zVWYfaL._SY355_.jpg&quot;:[355,355],&quot;https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71z7zVWYfaL._SX522_.jpg&quot;:[522,522],&quot;https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71z7zVWYfaL._SY450_.jpg&quot;:[450,450],&quot;https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71z7zVWYfaL._SX425_.jpg&quot;:[425,425],&quot;https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71z7zVWYfaL._SX466_.jpg&quot;:[466,466]}" data-old-hires="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71z7zVWYfaL._SL1080_.jpg" height="320" id="landingImage" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71z7zVWYfaL._SX522_.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-height: 387px; max-width: 387px;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calico Quilt Shop</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Darlene Contadinohttps://plus.google.com/114219627027227506345noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540347293813227691.post-29037117110291339352016-11-27T09:15:00.004-08:002016-11-27T09:20:46.357-08:00En Provence- Part 1 Bonnie Hunter MysteryWell we are off to a great start on the new Bonnie Hunter - Quiltville Mystery, En Provence. Here is the link.&nbsp;<a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/p/en-provence-mystery.html" target="_blank">http://quiltville.blogspot.com/p/en-provence-mystery.html</a>. You will find all the information you need to join the journey. Don't be intimidated, join in on the fun.<br /><br />&nbsp;Bonnie promised a beginning without the need for the specialty rulers. I had a suspicion that this step might be a four patch. I was right, which does not happen very often. Part one requires 221 four patches.&nbsp; I had a neutral that is&nbsp; pearl/lavender that I used in about half of my blocks. Here are some samples. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f1dScGOE1J0/WDsPdxp24CI/AAAAAAAACoY/ZDLjMyNAaAo-pBQwibGFpF-RjVPOwUGQgCLcB/s1600/DSCN3372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f1dScGOE1J0/WDsPdxp24CI/AAAAAAAACoY/ZDLjMyNAaAo-pBQwibGFpF-RjVPOwUGQgCLcB/s400/DSCN3372.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samples of completed blocks</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>I realize that my four patches are fairly close in tone compared to some. I am going with what I have, but did eliminate some creams I initially pulled from my stash, as they where too close to my yellows. I think when sewn together there will be enough variety to add interest and depth, but nothing that will shout out "here I am". I still have 50 four patches to do and these are the fabrics I plan to use.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l5eIgKxKHAU/WDsP8eBnCBI/AAAAAAAACoc/rLc5UfgA1WAjU6TXoH-XyDWS4ofKJE2zQCLcB/s1600/DSCN3373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l5eIgKxKHAU/WDsP8eBnCBI/AAAAAAAACoc/rLc5UfgA1WAjU6TXoH-XyDWS4ofKJE2zQCLcB/s320/DSCN3373.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 inch strips of neutrals</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pLbNJTz0jjA/WDsQMJoJVJI/AAAAAAAACog/hk0Y8RD2V_oCTudXhiApRwz5wzbnLOOIwCLcB/s1600/DSCN3357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pLbNJTz0jjA/WDsQMJoJVJI/AAAAAAAACog/hk0Y8RD2V_oCTudXhiApRwz5wzbnLOOIwCLcB/s320/DSCN3357.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More neutrals</td></tr></tbody></table>It's hard to tell from the picture but the fabric in front lower pictures is the lavender/pearl fabric. I don't know how this fabrics will play with the other fabrics in the quilt, but I am hoping that it works, especially if it is next to a purple or lavender in the quilt. I will just have to wait till we get to those colors to find out. I still have about a quarter yard left that I can use in other blocks if a neutral is needed.<br /><br />I have the strips for my last 50 units cut. I only need to cut them into 2 inch units and sew them together to create the four patch. I have the rest of the week to finish, so I am pretty confident that I will complete this step.<br /><br />Tomorrow is another day and another doctor appointment. I'll find out what the plan is to collect those elusive stem cells. I'm sure I'll be home to do the upcoming clue at least.<br /><br />In the meantime I am on Christmas over drive. My cards are sent, most presents are bought and wrapped and I am making good progress toward getting the rest of the Christmas decorations done.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7A9ozsAYg0s/WDsTZWU8JaI/AAAAAAAACos/CocQ_WawrvwPRzjiyUdEEwiJvqy1FeNgQCLcB/s1600/DSCN3376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7A9ozsAYg0s/WDsTZWU8JaI/AAAAAAAACos/CocQ_WawrvwPRzjiyUdEEwiJvqy1FeNgQCLcB/s320/DSCN3376.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas tree in great room.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The cat loves the tree, especially sleeping under it. He has not really bothered the tree or any ornaments, so far. A second smaller tree goes in the dining room today. It's amazing what you can get done when you are retired.<br /><br />Coming next: Part II<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Darlene Contadinohttps://plus.google.com/114219627027227506345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540347293813227691.post-31027706973184297822016-11-21T06:25:00.001-08:002016-11-21T06:25:43.442-08:00Baby it's cold outside, so lets sew, sew, sewWhat a difference. It was 78 a few days ago and 32 today, brrr. I can't say I am happy about this, but&nbsp; I'm taking advantage and catching up on a few projects.<br /><br />Since my last post I have completed the Paper Dolls top.&nbsp; I guess I am just not that adventurous and decided to go with the simple border. I will use the wilder fabric as my backing.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0_OXS71U-h4/WDL6X4EUPKI/AAAAAAAACm4/ryMaYPD3X7g7CZseWxEKuSls8zg3cYggQCLcB/s400/DSCN3352.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paper Dolls</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>This pattern was fun to make and actually goes together quickly. I think it would make a great Christmas quilt. Can't you just see the Paper Dolls decked out in their holiday attire? <br /><br />The next project that is near completion is an old Bonnie Hunter leader/ender quilt top, called spools. I am not usually one to have UFO, but this got stuck away, and abandoned&nbsp; a while ago. I came across it last week and decided to finish it. The rows still need to be sewn together. That is my project for today, plus the border. I have another row, but somehow the blocks are slightly larger, about a half inch. I may just leave those out. Once I decide about the larger blocks I will add a black border.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2PuUPQAN_mk/WDL75AWaODI/AAAAAAAACnM/OPajaTlfs0IfZaTQfuQtUCFbo9DWzSzfgCLcB/s1600/DSCN3369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2PuUPQAN_mk/WDL75AWaODI/AAAAAAAACnM/OPajaTlfs0IfZaTQfuQtUCFbo9DWzSzfgCLcB/s320/DSCN3369.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Border fabric</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuaGZIDWvJE/WDL75EWb_kI/AAAAAAAACnI/z8-pyK1Hnnw8WC100vPVTLYcYVDHbxefgCEw/s1600/DSCN3368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuaGZIDWvJE/WDL75EWb_kI/AAAAAAAACnI/z8-pyK1Hnnw8WC100vPVTLYcYVDHbxefgCEw/s640/DSCN3368.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spools</td></tr></tbody></table><br />As you can see it is currently a square quilt.&nbsp; I am seriously considering just adding a border and calling it a day. I think it would make a great wall hanging.<br /><br />Lastly I am gathering my fabric for Bonnie Hunter's upcoming Mystery Quilt , En Provence. Here is the link.&nbsp;<a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/p/en-provence-mystery.html" target="_blank">http://quiltville.blogspot.com/p/en-provence-mystery.html</a><br />I am using her colors this year: purple, lavender, yellow, green, magenta and neutrals.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OFg8d9i9TIk/WDL9J8mB9tI/AAAAAAAACnY/6-dSu0Bep6Euf0JP22eZN4idBmQbZwzeQCLcB/s1600/DSCN3354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OFg8d9i9TIk/WDL9J8mB9tI/AAAAAAAACnY/6-dSu0Bep6Euf0JP22eZN4idBmQbZwzeQCLcB/s320/DSCN3354.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purples and a nice grunge for the magenta</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MKhrxrRqKow/WDL9JyVtsZI/AAAAAAAACnc/yOSeUJcwjg4_xC8eoNLQ-ziQfxIfr4z4gCLcB/s1600/DSCN3355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MKhrxrRqKow/WDL9JyVtsZI/AAAAAAAACnc/yOSeUJcwjg4_xC8eoNLQ-ziQfxIfr4z4gCLcB/s320/DSCN3355.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lavenders and yellows</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hhb19Wo4KoM/WDL9KI67AvI/AAAAAAAACng/xUCIEFXpSjksREbNu6l9xae2HPTYIR4awCLcB/s1600/DSCN3357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hhb19Wo4KoM/WDL9KI67AvI/AAAAAAAACng/xUCIEFXpSjksREbNu6l9xae2HPTYIR4awCLcB/s320/DSCN3357.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neutrals</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gr-BBXTogF0/WDL9K4HdcNI/AAAAAAAACno/o1bbfk6r44w3zQCWB8uMBHfSEpQ9-VVHACLcB/s1600/DSCN3359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gr-BBXTogF0/WDL9K4HdcNI/AAAAAAAACno/o1bbfk6r44w3zQCWB8uMBHfSEpQ9-VVHACLcB/s320/DSCN3359.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Should this be a purple or lavender?</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RSbQ-BhN4SQ/WDMCX9qyLgI/AAAAAAAACn8/knTLbcKeoaAVWWTI9bRizNwEfSETDO69ACLcB/s1600/DSCN3358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RSbQ-BhN4SQ/WDMCX9qyLgI/AAAAAAAACn8/knTLbcKeoaAVWWTI9bRizNwEfSETDO69ACLcB/s320/DSCN3358.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Can't forget the greens.</div><br />A few friends mention I have such a positive outlook. I am a glass half full person, but also a realist.&nbsp; I have to agree that starting a big project like En Provence is a leap of faith. Last year I was so excited to do Bonnie's mystery. Life had other ideas and I spent the holiday's in the hospital. That quilt is still on my to do list and the fabric still in it's bin. As I looked through my fabric I realized I did not print out step one. I will purchase the on-line pattern, but I took that as a sign I should move forward, rather than play catch up with last year's mystery.<br /><br />I decided to put En Provence at the head of my list. I love the colors. It should be such fun! I know I'll at least get the first few steps done. I'm still fighting my Multiple Myeloma. The stem cell transplant was delayed, as they could not collect enough of my stem cells to proceed. I've had a little rest, and hopefully we will be successful in collecting my stem cells and proceeding with the transplant before the end of the year. In the mean time I plan to sew, sew, sew. And if I end up in the hospital again this holiday, I will be sure to print ALL of the instructions before they are taken down.<br /><br />So my next post, God willing, will be of En Provence.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iFZ85VUkeqE/WDL98cd_PZI/AAAAAAAACnw/6fUb690iU2sez2N-vOAoNq02OP33J5aqwCEw/s1600/DSCN3365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iFZ85VUkeqE/WDL98cd_PZI/AAAAAAAACnw/6fUb690iU2sez2N-vOAoNq02OP33J5aqwCEw/s400/DSCN3365.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A guy who knows how to relax!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="ib"><span class="xg_avatar"><a class="fn url" href="http://quiltwithus.connectingthreads.com/profile/cate" title="cate"><span class="dy-avatar dy-avatar-64 "><br /></span></a></span></div><h1></h1><br />Darlene Contadinohttps://plus.google.com/114219627027227506345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540347293813227691.post-21643495003150127422016-10-10T17:20:00.000-07:002016-10-10T17:20:26.798-07:00Paper DollsAfter months of applique it's time to return to the thing I love. Piecing! Several months ago while browsing through my quilt books I came across Paper Dolls by Brandon Mably. It is different from the quilts I have made in the past, but I was drawn to the quilt and the memory of cutting out paper doll strips when I was a child. And I remember a song called Paper Doll that my dad loved. I think it was by the Mills Brothers.&nbsp; So I thought this must be the one I'm meant to make.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jYHwNjMBNjs/V_vtZpSyRjI/AAAAAAAAClM/P1YPSuYWUGUULwEKBTnhGoL_FyNnJqexgCEw/s1600/DSCN3315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">&nbsp;A<img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jYHwNjMBNjs/V_vtZpSyRjI/AAAAAAAAClM/P1YPSuYWUGUULwEKBTnhGoL_FyNnJqexgCEw/s320/DSCN3315.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The quilt pattern</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2_uIP_SmjOE/V_vtZyq4_rI/AAAAAAAAClQ/qwO3Bk3iBhkiVJJNVY5cv0r65UAXj2RdQCEw/s1600/DSCN3316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2_uIP_SmjOE/V_vtZyq4_rI/AAAAAAAAClQ/qwO3Bk3iBhkiVJJNVY5cv0r65UAXj2RdQCEw/s320/DSCN3316.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pattern came from this book.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Although I love Kaffe Fassett's fabric. My goal for this quilt is to put a dent into my bin of floral fabrics. I decided to pick fabrics that would reflect a day in the garden. I am considering sticking with various shades of green for the background. We will see how that works as I progress. These are the paper dolls I've completed so far.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BoWTzKkGxEg/V_vtaHtTQWI/AAAAAAAAClU/4aC6f2hGjfYpRL4QVgc6YF2EXb7adLD3wCEw/s1600/DSCN3317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BoWTzKkGxEg/V_vtaHtTQWI/AAAAAAAAClU/4aC6f2hGjfYpRL4QVgc6YF2EXb7adLD3wCEw/s320/DSCN3317.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This background is not a yellow as it looks in the picture.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XCj--3J-VdQ/V_vtaQoy_nI/AAAAAAAAClY/TLU0iHxqOzM7flYNmBqCkSN2q_OpQBXvACEw/s1600/DSCN3318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XCj--3J-VdQ/V_vtaQoy_nI/AAAAAAAAClY/TLU0iHxqOzM7flYNmBqCkSN2q_OpQBXvACEw/s320/DSCN3318.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure how I feel about this background.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yzs7sz-BMTA/V_vtakOkyrI/AAAAAAAAClc/IJXiOZINcQkJAq11hSlnXqrQzwpyZk8jQCEw/s1600/DSCN3319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yzs7sz-BMTA/V_vtakOkyrI/AAAAAAAAClc/IJXiOZINcQkJAq11hSlnXqrQzwpyZk8jQCEw/s320/DSCN3319.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dolls in blue dresses.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CZtBVEj3ibE/V_vtbJViAVI/AAAAAAAAClg/60H3b-uBkj8tG5epd6s88m6MdbSNuIARgCEw/s1600/DSCN3320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CZtBVEj3ibE/V_vtbJViAVI/AAAAAAAAClg/60H3b-uBkj8tG5epd6s88m6MdbSNuIARgCEw/s320/DSCN3320.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four paper dolls.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />All together I need 27 dolls, I am only planning on making two of each doll. They go together quickly and I have to say I am enjoying making these blocks.<br /><br />While I've been working on this. I have also been helping my granddaughter with her purple tumbler. She spent the weekend and she was able to get all the rows sewn.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-82g9pp30dnc/V_vtYhX1lNI/AAAAAAAAClo/jNUJPKZjWFMAlnDd95cg1cbP5BzfisC_QCEw/s1600/DSCN3312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-82g9pp30dnc/V_vtYhX1lNI/AAAAAAAAClo/jNUJPKZjWFMAlnDd95cg1cbP5BzfisC_QCEw/s320/DSCN3312.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">arranging her tumblers so there are no repeats in the row</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bJ_h-pWddj8/V_vtZOsbs5I/AAAAAAAAClo/JXkII8F4DaM3Lo6NaRsdfiFiZmtheXQfQCEw/s1600/DSCN3313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bJ_h-pWddj8/V_vtZOsbs5I/AAAAAAAAClo/JXkII8F4DaM3Lo6NaRsdfiFiZmtheXQfQCEw/s400/DSCN3313.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rows completed</td></tr></tbody></table>Jana finished her rows and has selected a layout. The first two rows are sewn together. Once all the rows are sewn together she will add a purple border. She has not decided how it will be quilted.<br /><br />We both made good progress this weekend. It will probably be at least a few weeks before we get together again. I go back in the hospital tomorrow for more chemo. Recovery is usually two to three weeks. See everyone then. Hopefully I will have more paper dolls to share.Darlene Contadinohttps://plus.google.com/114219627027227506345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540347293813227691.post-19863454692337031042016-10-05T11:38:00.001-07:002016-10-05T11:38:44.441-07:00Wrapping up 2016 Row by RowIt is with great relief that I report I have my top assembled for my 2016 Row by Row. I've learned many things working on this project.<br /><br />First the positive. I like English Paper Piecing. I also enjoying playing around with designs and making them my own.<br /><br />The flip side is, I don't like raw edge applique. I don't like doing it and I don't like the look of it. It may be my technique that is at fault. I even took a Craftsy class, hoping to get the skills I needed, but it was focused more on design and less on technique, so not much help. From a distance things look pretty good, but get too close and my, on my.&nbsp; I discovered that certain fusible products may gum up your needle, which may cause your thread to break. This is frustrating. I wonder how this thing will hold up if it is washed?<br /><br />As in the past I really modified the last pattern to suit my needs. It was a beautifully, detailed and complicated row. I simplified it by using less pieces, which meant less applique. I don't think you miss the pieces I left out.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8lLBXqYwK0/V_U_NokQ2yI/AAAAAAAACkg/N4I7aFJxTbMWaIF8yS_Rc3z6aEMF1q8gQCLcB/s1600/DSCN3304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8lLBXqYwK0/V_U_NokQ2yI/AAAAAAAACkg/N4I7aFJxTbMWaIF8yS_Rc3z6aEMF1q8gQCLcB/s320/DSCN3304.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home is where the Cats are-simplified-bottom row</td></tr></tbody></table>I needed more rows to balance out the quilt, so I created a row for My Sunset Place, our favorite bed and breakfast in Port Clinton, Ohio. I used I photo I took from their deck to create this row. While not an exact replica it does catch the spirit of the photo. It is the top row. You can't get much closer, to the water than this. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ebRzgnS2WGA/V_U_NT0A_nI/AAAAAAAACkc/e50GAg8Y3-Aqjsgmns0mnXad2q7_RxrwwCLcB/s1600/DSCN3306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ebRzgnS2WGA/V_U_NT0A_nI/AAAAAAAACkc/e50GAg8Y3-Aqjsgmns0mnXad2q7_RxrwwCLcB/s320/DSCN3306.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top row - My own creation. Which represents Our Sunset Place</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;I needed one more row to complete the quilt. I had difficulty&nbsp; deciding whether to make a wonky house or a lighthouse. In the end the lighthouse won. I thought it represented arriving home safely, so it fit into the theme of Home Sweet Home. You can see it on the left below.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ktd2BmTgmRc/V_U_OEejZGI/AAAAAAAACko/KUOTX1DjKmMrRdD1MZkFW4wIGDVJ1tbRwCLcB/s1600/DSCN3307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ktd2BmTgmRc/V_U_OEejZGI/AAAAAAAACko/KUOTX1DjKmMrRdD1MZkFW4wIGDVJ1tbRwCLcB/s320/DSCN3307.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home Sweet Home-laid out</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Overall I am happy with the way it turned out. I toyed with the idea of a border, but rejected that idea. Honestly I am just kind of sick of this quilt. I plan to bind it with dark blue, which I think will be a nice frame.&nbsp; Once this is quilted there a few embellishments I want to add. There are buttons for the bird's eyes, and something for the top of the lighthouse.<br /><br />Will I ever make another Row by Row. I don't think so. All that is left is to piece the back. I plan to make a row using the license plates down the middle of the back. I am hoping against hope that my friend Sandy Erwin will quilt this. I have no idea what to do with it. I thought about just a meandering stitch, but with all the applique I just don't know what to do.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eC2NyIBrf9g/V_U_ORkiX0I/AAAAAAAACk0/PzETfTuBGAkwrDtY_z8uiadCYINyU_ryACEw/s1600/DSCN3308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eC2NyIBrf9g/V_U_ORkiX0I/AAAAAAAACk0/PzETfTuBGAkwrDtY_z8uiadCYINyU_ryACEw/s320/DSCN3308.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Completed top</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Tasks at hand:&nbsp; Finish the back<br /><br />Upcoming projects? I'm thinking Paper Dolls by Brandon Mably. As soon as I clean up my Row by Row mess I'll search by stash for inspiration. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Darlene Contadinohttps://plus.google.com/114219627027227506345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540347293813227691.post-54427928372556233262016-09-23T12:09:00.001-07:002016-09-23T12:09:05.683-07:00Row by Rowing AlongMy Row by Row Experience continues. I may regret this, but I am assembling the rows, but not machine stitching the appliques. I am afraid this will be a long tedious process. For now I am having fun creating.<br /><br />I know I mentioned that I don't follow directions. I have found it impossible not to make changes here and there in the various rows. I nearly threw out the baby with the bath water when it came to the Dry Ridge Quilt Row. Here is their pattern.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9HUtoOyX3pk/V-V1QH7v4jI/AAAAAAAACjk/vmpKuOwBib4107NyVxeWA4jbMYkKkFfeQCLcB/s1600/DSCN3295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9HUtoOyX3pk/V-V1QH7v4jI/AAAAAAAACjk/vmpKuOwBib4107NyVxeWA4jbMYkKkFfeQCLcB/s320/DSCN3295.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Row by Row Pattern</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;Here is the problem. I already have two other rows that spell out home. Do I need a third? Don't think so. My dad was from Dry Ridge and I want this to be special. It's not doing it for me. Sooo, I decided to make some changes. First I shrunk Kentucky, put a heart over Dry Ridge. Then I enlarged and moved out the house.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Zo89Z7YcBA/V-V1R3i_j5I/AAAAAAAACjw/ummiExfv6VgOe-mdjd8obx3XedLWZN02wCEw/s1600/DSCN3297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Zo89Z7YcBA/V-V1R3i_j5I/AAAAAAAACjw/ummiExfv6VgOe-mdjd8obx3XedLWZN02wCEw/s320/DSCN3297.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kentucky, the Heart of it all.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KFxINQsQZXo/V-V1RvOjKXI/AAAAAAAACjs/A-ONmGRkw6U5t--ks_y4kCoJiykEZ0UxgCEw/s1600/DSCN3298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KFxINQsQZXo/V-V1RvOjKXI/AAAAAAAACjs/A-ONmGRkw6U5t--ks_y4kCoJiykEZ0UxgCEw/s320/DSCN3298.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Funky Home Sweet Kentucky Home</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>I still needed to balance out the row, so I created some woods to represent the Appalachian Trail and Daniel Boone Forest.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qhvkm-Xz5ts/V-V1Q-86whI/AAAAAAAACjo/fYZ4r0eNGP8lVOvJztULdaPRaXYp9TUdQCEw/s1600/DSCN3296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qhvkm-Xz5ts/V-V1Q-86whI/AAAAAAAACjo/fYZ4r0eNGP8lVOvJztULdaPRaXYp9TUdQCEw/s320/DSCN3296.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table>I've discovered that I do better if I just freehand my trees, branches, etc. So I just backed a piece of green and brown with fusible and cut away. I am happy with the results, as I like a more free flowing form than something structured. I plan to stitch the green down with a variegated thread to add texture. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ipBUeJzoo7k/V-V1PVdrhHI/AAAAAAAACjc/nzLK-fgHIwQRPbqv7lan3l9bEyHJKGPfwCEw/s1600/DSCN3291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ipBUeJzoo7k/V-V1PVdrhHI/AAAAAAAACjc/nzLK-fgHIwQRPbqv7lan3l9bEyHJKGPfwCEw/s320/DSCN3291.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Row by Row my style</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The second row I completed was from FabricShack in Waynesville, OH. I have to admit I pretty much followed the directions. Again rather than trace leaves and branches I freelanced. Just fusing and cutting shapes as I went along. This block will need extra details added. I was worried about this one, but do like how it turned out. I still may add more branches and leaves above the birds. I am waiting until it's stitched to decide.<br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NlBRBHBlj3E/V-V3RAloHlI/AAAAAAAACkA/pO-cRObW8_0KCn2OUS6ybk445Pp70xDUwCEw/s1600/DSCN3302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NlBRBHBlj3E/V-V3RAloHlI/AAAAAAAACkA/pO-cRObW8_0KCn2OUS6ybk445Pp70xDUwCEw/s320/DSCN3302.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of details to be added when the applique is stitched down, especially on the birds</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>My final Row to report on is from Apron Strings Quilt Shop in Maysville, KY. I had a fun trip there and decided to purchase the kit. I had never done English Paper Piecing. I am hooked. Last week I was hospitalized for treatment for my Myeloma. This was a project I was able to do while there. I felt I accomplished something, rather than sitting around. I only had to do the Dresden Plate when I returned home.&nbsp; I'm planning to make Christmas wreaths and trees during my next stay.(Need to do something to keep my sanity). I can even use my GoBaby to make the kits.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7uRlnf-mYs/V-V3RWs8F_I/AAAAAAAACkI/7wBIlVt9VzUS_Hr_NtkA0K1Zo8ubBtUEwCLcB/s1600/DSCN3301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7uRlnf-mYs/V-V3RWs8F_I/AAAAAAAACkI/7wBIlVt9VzUS_Hr_NtkA0K1Zo8ubBtUEwCLcB/s320/DSCN3301.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>As you can see I have not sewn the squares together. I think I will probably make this a vertical row, rather than horizontal as shown here.<br /><br />So that's my progress so far. I have saved what I think is going to be the most difficult Row for last. I also am designing a row for Our Sunset Place, our favorite home away from home on Lake Erie. But that is a story for another post.Darlene Contadinohttps://plus.google.com/114219627027227506345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540347293813227691.post-85356232754580526352016-09-06T17:10:00.000-07:002016-09-06T17:10:49.600-07:00Cathedral Stars first, Partial seam blocks second and Row by Row trailing behing.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Wow, I can't believe it been nearly a month since my last post. Time has&nbsp; flown by and I have been busy. I pushed myself to finish the Cathedral Stars quilt. It's quilted and bound. I am satisfied with the end results. There are some seams that do not match up, but since it is so scrappy it does not show.&nbsp; I love the red and purple ladder blocks and feel they really add a zing to the quilt.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-twYyrNWgDVM/V89ODtdWQ0I/AAAAAAAAChc/lH48PvoovP8p6aTHu82v2YHhvXOtOMUwQCLcB/s1600/DSCN3290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-twYyrNWgDVM/V89ODtdWQ0I/AAAAAAAAChc/lH48PvoovP8p6aTHu82v2YHhvXOtOMUwQCLcB/s320/DSCN3290.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathedral Stars-Bonnie Hunter Pattern</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>For now my obsession with partial seam blocks has been satisfied. I completed two Christmas quilts and one queen size using my blue stash. The blue quilt still has to be quilted.But my Christmas quilts are quilted, bound and labeled. I&nbsp; fell in love with this bunny fabric and one quilt is built around that fabric. I've also completed a red, white and green Christmas quilt for my daughter.&nbsp; I quilted these with a panto called ribbons.<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6eu9k49MjwA/V89OynpDNlI/AAAAAAAAChg/0VtlzN_12WMwI0BATd3so7xrp5PHPukwQCLcB/s1600/DSCN3265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6eu9k49MjwA/V89OynpDNlI/AAAAAAAAChg/0VtlzN_12WMwI0BATd3so7xrp5PHPukwQCLcB/s320/DSCN3265.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fabrics mostly from stash</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9uFK8ALSNWQ/V89O2KXRHJI/AAAAAAAAChk/iWVjL7ofdow86qgXAYm1Kga8932v7WWBQCLcB/s1600/DSCN3264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9uFK8ALSNWQ/V89O2KXRHJI/AAAAAAAAChk/iWVjL7ofdow86qgXAYm1Kga8932v7WWBQCLcB/s320/DSCN3264.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I fell in love with this fabric.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: 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center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f86XQxu1mp0/V89Pb1dIEFI/AAAAAAAAChs/rn8l62sQPqU7W7sj51uFlcsiMfQtGnWiQCEw/s1600/DSCN3272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f86XQxu1mp0/V89Pb1dIEFI/AAAAAAAAChs/rn8l62sQPqU7W7sj51uFlcsiMfQtGnWiQCEw/s400/DSCN3272.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Hearth</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EEWb6qXlMSI/V89QJ4dp91I/AAAAAAAACh0/BUa66xwHflI5pplZHhNN3tRjTlWasXhKQCLcB/s1600/DSCN3273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EEWb6qXlMSI/V89QJ4dp91I/AAAAAAAACh0/BUa66xwHflI5pplZHhNN3tRjTlWasXhKQCLcB/s640/DSCN3273.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of Christmas Hearth</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8d3iDzeAEg/V89W9HFnYyI/AAAAAAAACi0/5bDHiCEIg1chm3hyoQX4rhhWQfoyaxdyACLcB/s1600/DSCN3259.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8d3iDzeAEg/V89W9HFnYyI/AAAAAAAACi0/5bDHiCEIg1chm3hyoQX4rhhWQfoyaxdyACLcB/s320/DSCN3259.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fabric I auditioned for my daughter's quilt (some of them anyway)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Two other Christmas quilts have been completed. One for my eldest son. It is called Winter Tumbler. I also used the ribbon design for the quilting for this quilt. It is not too dense and almost looks like the wind blowing across the quilt.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3RW1Vqshpc/V89RPRqL6UI/AAAAAAAACiA/srgL9B0oOdgxqmga-CxJlljGZRrIn3IqwCLcB/s1600/DSCN3269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3RW1Vqshpc/V89RPRqL6UI/AAAAAAAACiA/srgL9B0oOdgxqmga-CxJlljGZRrIn3IqwCLcB/s320/DSCN3269.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter Tumbler</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>And finally finished the winter quilt for my youngest son.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yPh5aFylVh0/V89R_iPLrqI/AAAAAAAACiI/nJldg2LfwFA8M6Oa-7Yq4wzMHebRxn1fgCLcB/s1600/DSCN3278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yPh5aFylVh0/V89R_iPLrqI/AAAAAAAACiI/nJldg2LfwFA8M6Oa-7Yq4wzMHebRxn1fgCLcB/s320/DSCN3278.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">detail of quilting, I've already forgotten the name of the panto I used.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZOD0uPmhPU/V89R050hqGI/AAAAAAAACiE/iFtbiYJu1-ksG3GcIT3fZsL2SlcZBD4IwCLcB/s1600/DSCN3276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZOD0uPmhPU/V89R050hqGI/AAAAAAAACiE/iFtbiYJu1-ksG3GcIT3fZsL2SlcZBD4IwCLcB/s640/DSCN3276.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Both of these quilts have flannel back so they will be nice and cozy this winter. So done at last. I'm feeling relieved that my Christmas projects are completed.<br /><br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZOD0uPmhPU/V89R050hqGI/AAAAAAAACiM/7X4x5Ksvl5stdoduROJM2P073shFpQs6wCEw/s1600/DSCN3276.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZOD0uPmhPU/V89R050hqGI/AAAAAAAACiM/7X4x5Ksvl5stdoduROJM2P073shFpQs6wCEw/s320/DSCN3276.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />That leaves the Row by Row. We've made trips to Maysville and Dry Ridge, KY.&nbsp; We have been to Waynesville and Goshen Ohio. I've collected my eight patterns. Now I have only to finish the rows. It appears that will be a challenge. This appliqué is not my cup of tea. For now I am doing the rows, row by row, but not stitching the applique down. I'm only ironing them in place. I do have two new Rows done (with exception of stitching the appliques in place).&nbsp; One is paper pieced.&nbsp; They are from Loveland, Ohio and Sanibel Island.FL.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YHru6qVjeAg/V89TKBsfx2I/AAAAAAAACiU/Vj7lfV6D2B87FoAi7SUDcnotNETO4V1lACLcB/s1600/DSCN3285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YHru6qVjeAg/V89TKBsfx2I/AAAAAAAACiU/Vj7lfV6D2B87FoAi7SUDcnotNETO4V1lACLcB/s320/DSCN3285.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loveland Quilt Studio and Crazy Ladies @ Sanibel Island,&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>I am currently working (getting started) on the row from Dry Ridge, KY. We had a cool weekend, and I used that time to work in the garden and begin the process of getting it cleared and cleaned out for winter. There was a wonderful breeze and beautiful skies. I don't remember what kind of clouds these are, but I thought they where beautiful.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDU-TcLk4LI/V89UnJZAGhI/AAAAAAAACio/y1QjAWQ5lqkL2foQDdYS6VI58LJI0SKMgCLcB/s1600/DSCN3287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDU-TcLk4LI/V89UnJZAGhI/AAAAAAAACio/y1QjAWQ5lqkL2foQDdYS6VI58LJI0SKMgCLcB/s320/DSCN3287.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sr10VoFS8wU/V89UmitF1wI/AAAAAAAACig/1l0dcgQXSSEd-UEdX4GjftEGQei5cb8YgCLcB/s1600/DSCN3288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sr10VoFS8wU/V89UmitF1wI/AAAAAAAACig/1l0dcgQXSSEd-UEdX4GjftEGQei5cb8YgCLcB/s320/DSCN3288.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nv5nOmMMw9w/V89Um4ZSQkI/AAAAAAAACik/clCmOkAo_80-wqi-2JEAsjyZl8n8cdMZQCEw/s1600/DSCN3289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nv5nOmMMw9w/V89Um4ZSQkI/AAAAAAAACik/clCmOkAo_80-wqi-2JEAsjyZl8n8cdMZQCEw/s640/DSCN3289.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Hope everyone has a wonderful week. Hopefully I have a few more rows to share at my next posting. I don't believe in UFO's, so I think I have quite a task ahead of me. God willing I'll be able to get them done.Darlene Contadinohttps://plus.google.com/114219627027227506345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540347293813227691.post-23176613058634195652016-08-07T11:08:00.002-07:002016-08-07T11:08:55.041-07:00Falling in love with partial seam blocks.I know, I know.&nbsp; I was all excited about my Row by Row project. It is sitting in a bin as I continue to collect patterns. I've decided to put it aside until I get my Christmas projects completed. I still need two patterns, and will be traveling to Dry Ridge, KY and Waynesville, OH this week. I'll add them to my collection. Once all my Christmas projects are completed I will return to the Row by Row. And I will focus and concentrate on applique.<br /><br />More old business. I finished Bonnie Hunter's pattern Cathedral&nbsp; Stars. I am satisfied with how it turned out. However, if I every do it again I think I will eliminate the red and blue borders and only surround it in black. Nevertheless, it's completed and ready for quilting. That is also taking a back seat to my Christmas projects.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lzdM-8E8xeQ/V6du5lilryI/AAAAAAAACgc/NWx9ccvPq6E1Mp9-2vj1BussPPc_GxpUACLcB/s1600/DSCN3247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lzdM-8E8xeQ/V6du5lilryI/AAAAAAAACgc/NWx9ccvPq6E1Mp9-2vj1BussPPc_GxpUACLcB/s320/DSCN3247.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathedral&nbsp; Stars top</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>What has caught my fancy? Partial seam blocks have become my new obsession. I have been looking for something uncomplicated, something modern, with clean lines, and an interesting lay out. I found it in&nbsp; <u>Japanese Quilt Inspirations</u> by Susan Briscoe.&nbsp; I really like the Irori Quilt. In her book each block has a red center to represent the hearth of the home. I like that idea. I wanted to use fabric from my blue stash. I have a lovely Tula Pink backing. I hope to quilt it on my next visit to Loveland Quilt Workshop mid August. This is my favorite block&nbsp; and the finished top.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r5WgxnRwFrc/V6dxj2PrFbI/AAAAAAAACg4/4FeMgkxAEf8t4fBrMxoinMNmDL1UMlL2gCEw/s1600/DSCN3251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r5WgxnRwFrc/V6dxj2PrFbI/AAAAAAAACg4/4FeMgkxAEf8t4fBrMxoinMNmDL1UMlL2gCEw/s320/DSCN3251.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">favorite block.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mtSIFxYNBIg/V6dv6MJsDqI/AAAAAAAACgo/kK77BFsLAhQQ8smUADmIpjs9xIINcVTywCLcB/s1600/DSCN3260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mtSIFxYNBIg/V6dv6MJsDqI/AAAAAAAACgo/kK77BFsLAhQQ8smUADmIpjs9xIINcVTywCLcB/s400/DSCN3260.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irori top</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />In the book the quilt is 7 rows wide and 7 rows deep. As you can see I made mine a 10 block square. I am using this pattern to make two Christmas quilts. They are 7 rows by 8 rows. One is completed, but has to stay a secret. I am half way through the second quilt. I can share the fabric I considered. Not every piece made it into the quilt. More to be reveled. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vgV4A2DkUlY/V6dxmaDQS6I/AAAAAAAAChI/d1uE_ysQlHYq_BkGUBzjkAOC4X7Jm-FwQCEw/s1600/DSCN3259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vgV4A2DkUlY/V6dxmaDQS6I/AAAAAAAAChI/d1uE_ysQlHYq_BkGUBzjkAOC4X7Jm-FwQCEw/s320/DSCN3259.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas fabrics</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I love to piece, but sometimes the brain just wants something simple. That is what attracted me to this block.&nbsp;<br /><br />Reasons to do partial seam blocks.<br /><ul><li>Easy way to use scraps: two length of width strips, 3 and half inches wide makes 3 blocks.</li><li>Vertical rows go together quickly.</li><li>Fewer seams to nest.</li><li>Design choices are unlimited.</li><li>Blocks go together quickly. I was able to do nearly 20 blocks in a little over an hour.</li><li>Not really a top or bottom to the block so you don't have to worry about putting a block in the wrong way. </li></ul>Some tips:<br /><ul><li>Number your vertical rows</li><li>Keep numbers on rows till entire quilt together so no rows gets reversed .</li><li>Press each vertical row, reversing the direction of the seams with each row. Row one press up, row two press down. Everything will nest with little effort. No pinning needed.&nbsp;</li></ul><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mza2gwcSLGE/V6dxl8FNM6I/AAAAAAAAChM/x1Ry0A6qEh8PwO89K7mxCZtAjGFLYfsegCEw/s1600/DSCN3258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mza2gwcSLGE/V6dxl8FNM6I/AAAAAAAAChM/x1Ry0A6qEh8PwO89K7mxCZtAjGFLYfsegCEw/s320/DSCN3258.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Label your rows so there are no reversals during assembly.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I will finish my blocks for the second Christmas quilt today, and will have it assembled before the end of the week. More old business. Sew the binding on three quilts I quilted last week. Two of those are for Christmas so once they are finished I will have a good start on holiday sewing.&nbsp; I'm also thinking about making some mug rugs using the same block.<br /><br />My projects-upcoming events:<br /><br /><ul><li>Bind three quilts</li><li>Complete one Christmas quilt</li><li>Get appointments to quilt the four quilts that will need quilting.</li><li>Think about making mug rugs with my leftover Christmas fabric.&nbsp;</li><li>Get that granddaughter back here so she can work on her quilt and Christmas mug rugs.</li><li>Enjoy the day.</li></ul><br />Darlene Contadinohttps://plus.google.com/114219627027227506345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540347293813227691.post-44836054736603848902016-07-12T18:19:00.001-07:002016-07-12T18:19:59.521-07:00The Row by Row ExperienceI had a hankering to do something different. I saw the Facebook page for the Row by Row Experience and liked the theme Home Sweet Home. &nbsp; I realized I would have to do some applique, but thought. "Why not give it a try?' Why indeed. So I set out a plan for the Contadino Row by Row, Home Sweet Home quilt.<br /><br />My goal is to have blocks that represent the various parts of the county my family calls/called home. My daughter lives in South Carolina and she graciously traveled to local quilt shops to get patterns and license plates for her home.<br /><br />Both of my parents are deceased so it is importance to have a row that honors each of them. My mother grew up in Florida and loved to go shelling at Sanibel Island. I was able to purchase a 2015 pattern from Sanibel Island, Florida.&nbsp; This years pattern is not available for purchase until November 1st. I was happy to get last years. It an adorable palm tree with turtles, called Tipsy Turtles, from Three Crafty Ladies, Sanibel, Fl.&nbsp; My next stop will be a trip to the Quilt Box in Dry Ridge, KY.&nbsp; Dad was born in Perry, Kentucky and went to school in the Dry Ridge area. There is a lot of Bowman and Sechrest history in that area, so a pattern from Dry Ridge will represent dad's side of the family.<br /><br />For our immediate family I have a pattern from The Quilt Cabin in Goshen, Ohio that represents Clermont County, Ohio, where we live. And it has lots of cats, which we love! Finally we are traveling to the Lake Erie region this week, so I plan to get a pattern from there, as it's our home sweet home away from home.<br /><br />&nbsp;Here are the 3 South Carolina patterns I've completed to date. I need to sew the applique down on some. They have been fused. The patterns below are: Sign- Bernina - We're in Stitches and&nbsp; Home Sweet&nbsp; Home Away from Home (Viking Sew'n Quilt), in Greenville, SC. The last is from Sew it Goes Quilt Shop in Pendleton, SC.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NABBIFiDvc8/V4WHGoAhloI/AAAAAAAACfM/Jvsj-CdXSi0OTD3IRl4M-AkyMrFEUbuVwCLcB/s1600/DSCN3228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NABBIFiDvc8/V4WHGoAhloI/AAAAAAAACfM/Jvsj-CdXSi0OTD3IRl4M-AkyMrFEUbuVwCLcB/s320/DSCN3228.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two patterns from Greenville, SC</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cn7JES2Llw8/V4WHPnI-RaI/AAAAAAAACfQ/Qko1vzhvaKA4osFDjkIkuIytUFS6qAtTACLcB/s1600/DSCN3219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cn7JES2Llw8/V4WHPnI-RaI/AAAAAAAACfQ/Qko1vzhvaKA4osFDjkIkuIytUFS6qAtTACLcB/s320/DSCN3219.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adorable pieced cats from Sew It Goes Quilt Shop in Pendleton, SC.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NABBIFiDvc8/V4WHGoAhloI/AAAAAAAACfM/M67pXaY7ung2NwQHpZQXUoqYOnzd_TSAACEw/s1600/DSCN3228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br />The next two I need to do are heavy with applique. They are adorable, but lots and lots of fused applique. There is one problem. I suck at applique. Some of the patterns are recommending the satin stitch, which is not on my machine. I don't have invisible thread, and I am horrid at cutting small pieces. Yeah, that's more than one problem. I have ordered invisible thread from Superior Threads and will try using that and a straight stitch to secure the letters. Thank goodness for pieced pieces like the cats.<br /><br />I will be looking for more patterns that are pieced. The pattern from the Quilter's Workshop in Loveland is pieced (yeah) and I will get that pattern when I quilt my next quilt. I have signed up for a class on fusible applique at Craftsy. This will be a long term project. Hopefully I will learn to be adequate. I doubt I will learn to love it.&nbsp;<br /><br />For me the Row by Row Experience is about family and sentiment. I'm in no hurry. I am not committed to getting 8 rows from 8 shops.&nbsp; Each row needs to have some sentimental value to be included. I am considering making some of my own pieced blocks, maybe even some paper pieced barns and a church to round out my home sweet home collection of rows. As my wise granddaughter advised. Don't worry about it grandma. Just do it. After all we are having fun. That's what it's all about, right? Wise girl, enjoy the process.<br /><br />Speaking of enjoying the process we where able to get together for a few hours this weekend and she completed a few more rows on her tumbler quilt. The quilt inspector was more of a hindrance than a help.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iuFm8qyyE70/V4WMXirksZI/AAAAAAAACfk/B8artXC0i3EH3IuFsUJlKwCd4pGIEFC1ACLcB/s1600/DSCN3221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iuFm8qyyE70/V4WMXirksZI/AAAAAAAACfk/B8artXC0i3EH3IuFsUJlKwCd4pGIEFC1ACLcB/s320/DSCN3221.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"What's going on Smokey. I need to sew" said Jana. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f55d38h06HA/V4WMXdqQ81I/AAAAAAAACfg/XGLq3fm8uSIxtChXxW26J6iNCgdUFjEdwCLcB/s1600/DSCN3222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f55d38h06HA/V4WMXdqQ81I/AAAAAAAACfg/XGLq3fm8uSIxtChXxW26J6iNCgdUFjEdwCLcB/s400/DSCN3222.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"But I like sitting here!"</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1VTMZgCJcc/V4WMinD80gI/AAAAAAAACfo/iFCgAc_mVjY1FyR3EvwsWM1y3HHBQ8PBACLcB/s1600/DSCN3223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1VTMZgCJcc/V4WMinD80gI/AAAAAAAACfo/iFCgAc_mVjY1FyR3EvwsWM1y3HHBQ8PBACLcB/s320/DSCN3223.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"There is nothing you can do to get me to leave these tumblers."</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />While Jana worked on her tumblers I spent some time making star patches for the Bonnie Hunter pattern Cathedral Stars. This is a work in progress, and going a little slow. At first I felt the colors where too scrappy. As I lay the blocks out and see the pattern emerge I am feeling better about this quilt. I really like those red and purple ladder blocks. They add some spice to the quilt.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_LVv3VLu8g/V4WPsIFloMI/AAAAAAAACf4/ZkrxIYY3ghoDeTPS4niO2lKeh69zEjgBgCLcB/s1600/DSCN3229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_LVv3VLu8g/V4WPsIFloMI/AAAAAAAACf4/ZkrxIYY3ghoDeTPS4niO2lKeh69zEjgBgCLcB/s320/DSCN3229.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathedral Stars work in progress.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Finally, Jana wanted to update our photo. She has a new hair cut, so we took another selfie that has the new and updated Jana. I just love that girl, she is the best granddaughter.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3kemK3BtoTY/V4WQFli0ERI/AAAAAAAACf8/XclrEg0STrMLfBf1QtlQZoGKme8SaFdwgCLcB/s1600/DSCN3225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3kemK3BtoTY/V4WQFli0ERI/AAAAAAAACf8/XclrEg0STrMLfBf1QtlQZoGKme8SaFdwgCLcB/s320/DSCN3225.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jana and Grandma July 2016</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Coming events: Ohio Star Quilt Guild, Port Clinton, Ohio quilt show. And more Cathedral Stars.Darlene Contadinohttps://plus.google.com/114219627027227506345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540347293813227691.post-6030186354406808932016-07-05T05:59:00.002-07:002016-07-05T05:59:35.044-07:00Is it horrid or fun and funky?I have a friend who has made over a dozen Yellow Brick Road quilts. She loves that pattern. I can't even imagine doing the same pattern over and over.&nbsp; I like to try new things. However, sometimes I will redo a pattern. With that said,&nbsp; I surprised myself when I finished my fourth version of Happy Trails by Connie Feller.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EUgMMJqMAqM/V3ucBFdIF3I/AAAAAAAACds/ia3xlYNnTgA5sOCc6k48uNB3sVXhzEr6QCLcB/s1600/DSCN3217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EUgMMJqMAqM/V3ucBFdIF3I/AAAAAAAACds/ia3xlYNnTgA5sOCc6k48uNB3sVXhzEr6QCLcB/s320/DSCN3217.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br />I believe I ordered this pattern many years ago from Keepsake Quilting. I liked that it had a finished block of 12 x 12, and that you could feature a large print fabric. The first quilt I made, was a Christmas quilt.&nbsp; I had this interesting fabric of Santa in his sled, and wanted a quilt with him flying through the sky. Most of the blocks feature a snow village, but three featured Santa in his sled.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FO91QjDE2Io/V3uhPU1L_PI/AAAAAAAACeE/9XYu-Ah1egg9uPl_OzscfoaIEZhkZvBhwCLcB/s1600/DSCN3209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xc5dTEAxDgE/V3uhOo_7-hI/AAAAAAAACd8/bH2OkVtq5J0FX-P5b7ppG_WV7q6NtagsACLcB/s1600/DSCN3210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xc5dTEAxDgE/V3uhOo_7-hI/AAAAAAAACd8/bH2OkVtq5J0FX-P5b7ppG_WV7q6NtagsACLcB/s320/DSCN3210.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa flying through a snow filled sky.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cdt0sqdchE0/V3uhPT1XWbI/AAAAAAAACeA/TbDR2Pk_FUMLkCRIWNjKMC4fl2A_M9AawCLcB/s1600/DSCN3211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cdt0sqdchE0/V3uhPT1XWbI/AAAAAAAACeA/TbDR2Pk_FUMLkCRIWNjKMC4fl2A_M9AawCLcB/s320/DSCN3211.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Trails</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;I think this quilt worked because of feature fabric, which was the neutral snow village. Nothing really shouts out and even the Santa and his sled compliment the base fabric.<br /><br />The second quilt I made with Happy Trails was an autumn quilt from batiks.&nbsp; The surrounding blocks picked up the colors from the sunflower fabric. This seems to be the trick to making the best quilts with this pattern. The pattern it's self does not dominate the quilt. The fabrics are the star.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RNzfgPfs0Ig/V3uiYIuFhVI/AAAAAAAACeQ/X-uCgpln564OIJ7BtvMyIM6-qFtgvh2fACLcB/s1600/DSCN3207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RNzfgPfs0Ig/V3uiYIuFhVI/AAAAAAAACeQ/X-uCgpln564OIJ7BtvMyIM6-qFtgvh2fACLcB/s320/DSCN3207.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumn Trails.</td></tr></tbody></table>I recently finished two new quilts using this pattern. The first will be a Christmas gift from my youngest (an adult). He is interested in space, the cosmos and planets, etc. I wanted a quilt that looked like the night sky. I found several fabrics on E-Quilter that fit the theme. I think that I achieved my goal and can't wait to quilt it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TU-8J1KzVFA/V3ujuKN6sII/AAAAAAAACeg/RWebJ7QHAf0dymZf7ebMWbPY5xZDXgFdACLcB/s1600/DSCN3214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TU-8J1KzVFA/V3ujuKN6sII/AAAAAAAACeg/RWebJ7QHAf0dymZf7ebMWbPY5xZDXgFdACLcB/s400/DSCN3214.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gnyTYhkbt4g/V3ujtu4qunI/AAAAAAAACec/npZSSzf82Gc6K5NJKmfVjRkVZoG4S5ehgCLcB/s1600/DSCN3215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Space Trails</a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QRdO7KH0fA0/V3ujuTUU3MI/AAAAAAAACek/AcWJ1GGaJ_EOZ-u7xG0tpqmF4WhJZhmOACLcB/s1600/DSCN3216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QRdO7KH0fA0/V3ujuTUU3MI/AAAAAAAACek/AcWJ1GGaJ_EOZ-u7xG0tpqmF4WhJZhmOACLcB/s320/DSCN3216.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilt detail.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>In this quilt the fabric is the star, but one fabric does not necessarily overwhelm the others. They blend together to create the overall look of an evening sky.<br /><br />That takes us to the final quilt. Is it horrid? Is it funky and fun?&nbsp; This quilt featured a piece of fabric I've had for many year. It features a farm and barn and that resembles my mother's home and barn on SR 138 in Highland County, Ohio.&nbsp; I've considered this fabric for several quilts, but could never find the pattern that showed off the fabric. I didn't want to cut up the house or the barn.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ypdEoiWo-TI/V3uldT1k8yI/AAAAAAAACew/rjfMlByQr6AuAVPLy6SlE0dPzcbKT0mCwCLcB/s1600/DSCN3198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uubjAsrXbA4/V3umP78P_lI/AAAAAAAACe8/mtwhMHcQKtcT_h7X3O9EMnmOgc7VlwVSwCLcB/s1600/DSCN2991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uubjAsrXbA4/V3umP78P_lI/AAAAAAAACe8/mtwhMHcQKtcT_h7X3O9EMnmOgc7VlwVSwCLcB/s320/DSCN2991.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nAJTolzUccU/V3umPbFOcyI/AAAAAAAACe4/7NYESfvpznsnFotXZp3s6KEUzLd5p-GbwCLcB/s1600/DSCN2992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nAJTolzUccU/V3umPbFOcyI/AAAAAAAACe4/7NYESfvpznsnFotXZp3s6KEUzLd5p-GbwCLcB/s320/DSCN2992.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />I finally took the plunge and cut the fabric. I was able to fancy cut the houses and barn. However I was not really satisfied with the way this quilt came together. Once cut, there was not much else that could be done, so I put the quilt together. The jury is still out on this one. I did not add the last border, so it is a lap size. This is probably the least favorite quilt I have made.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ypdEoiWo-TI/V3uldT1k8yI/AAAAAAAACew/rjfMlByQr6AuAVPLy6SlE0dPzcbKT0mCwCLcB/s1600/DSCN3198.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ypdEoiWo-TI/V3uldT1k8yI/AAAAAAAACew/rjfMlByQr6AuAVPLy6SlE0dPzcbKT0mCwCLcB/s640/DSCN3198.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trail to grandma's house.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />It remains to be seen if the quilting can save this quilt. It's a lot too busy for me. I will quilt it and keep it, only because the house and barn so closely resembles my mother's home. There are many good memories evoked by that fabric. Part of me thinks this is the most horrid quilt I have ever made. Another part thinks it kind of fun.<br /><br />You know the saying about not crying over spilled milk. I think it's the same for cut fabric. I'll let this quilt sit for a while. I may go back and add the outside border. Who knows, it may become a favorite. One of the kids may adopt it, because they also have some great memories of the farm, barn and apple trees. Perhaps it's not so horrid after all.<br /><br />Is there another Happy Trails in my future? It's hard to predict. I think it's time to put this pattern aside and move on. I still have to finish Cathedral Stars and have not even started last fall's Mystery with Bonnie Hunter. And my oh my, the 2016 Row by Row Experience has started. Time to try something new.<br /><br />Coming events: Will the stars aline with Cathedral Stars or will the 2016 Row by Row Experience win out? Darlene Contadinohttps://plus.google.com/114219627027227506345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540347293813227691.post-91290331158447053442016-06-29T17:29:00.001-07:002016-06-29T17:29:04.860-07:00Jana and the tumbler blocksWhoo hoo. I've finally got my granddaughter over for a day. It's hard for a grandma to fit into the busy schedule of a teenager, but when we do get together we try to make the most of our time together. Roasted chicken sandwiches and peach tea for lunch. Her favorites. We need our energy after all. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bo5mJpK_V9A/V3RdN6pq8mI/AAAAAAAACcU/922rhuJEmk04-P4Bhzm9d0E4oKE9WhjyQCLcB/s1600/DSCN3176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bo5mJpK_V9A/V3RdN6pq8mI/AAAAAAAACcU/922rhuJEmk04-P4Bhzm9d0E4oKE9WhjyQCLcB/s320/DSCN3176.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie Jana took with my camera.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />&nbsp; On her last visit she used the Go Baby to cut nearly 300 tumbler blocks in various shades of purple. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ToeeJ5xN3w0/V3Rd8QUpz8I/AAAAAAAACcg/1zg0hU_6-DETE3Ry8Rm6St8zeOcZaSohgCKgB/s1600/DSCN3183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ToeeJ5xN3w0/V3Rd8QUpz8I/AAAAAAAACcg/1zg0hU_6-DETE3Ry8Rm6St8zeOcZaSohgCKgB/s320/DSCN3183.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of purple tumblers</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />She started her quilt and finished three rows. Each row is 18 tumblers wide.&nbsp; She has decided to do all her rows before she puts them together.&nbsp; That way she may choose the most pleasing layout. It might take all summer, but hey she's on vacation and I'm retired.&nbsp; Oh yes, the quilt inspector approved her work.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ELEuDNKE1Uw/V3RZvfN3AFI/AAAAAAAACbQ/_LxB-N9OMbY0Czp40NV4bQWtqbTWLnhlwCLcB/s1600/DSCN3193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ELEuDNKE1Uw/V3RZvfN3AFI/AAAAAAAACbQ/_LxB-N9OMbY0Czp40NV4bQWtqbTWLnhlwCLcB/s320/DSCN3193.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These look good.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lhEqwQjfsmY/V3RZ7qD8DqI/AAAAAAAACbY/3NVYlkMWS3Q1JXYQqhRrcHTyDzZvn1JDACLcB/s1600/DSCN3187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lhEqwQjfsmY/V3RZ7qD8DqI/AAAAAAAACbY/3NVYlkMWS3Q1JXYQqhRrcHTyDzZvn1JDACLcB/s320/DSCN3187.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure he appreciated the hug of thanks for his approval.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>That being said the object of her recent visit was to help me cut even more tumblers. I'm making a six foot by six foot quilt for my eldest son for Christmas. He insists on keeping his house around 60 degrees in the winter and wants something with a flannel back. I decided on a winter theme, and thank goodness Jana likes to use the Go Baby. We stopped counting at 400 tumblers. That's a lot of cutting and rolling through the Go Baby cutter. I still had to cut more to finish the quilt, and am so grateful she got me off to such a strong start.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IdLUV3aSYEc/V3RakfgggkI/AAAAAAAACbk/6sdkrIS5yKQDVMKxiZgXU0E0oX6yQJGngCLcB/s1600/DSCN3173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IdLUV3aSYEc/V3RakfgggkI/AAAAAAAACbk/6sdkrIS5yKQDVMKxiZgXU0E0oX6yQJGngCLcB/s320/DSCN3173.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma cut the squares and Jana rolled them through the GoBaby</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g5GNIY0j6LM/V3RkOZWtl-I/AAAAAAAACc0/CdpzjuSZu1IwirKZwsNeRpwKI5YZ5CkKQCLcB/s1600/DSCN3175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g5GNIY0j6LM/V3RkOZWtl-I/AAAAAAAACc0/CdpzjuSZu1IwirKZwsNeRpwKI5YZ5CkKQCLcB/s320/DSCN3175.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>More tumbler block </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br />Since this is a winter theme, but not Christmas, I selected shades of blues, whites and greens, and a&nbsp; brown fabric with pine cones.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RKnOL5birTY/V3Rbx9By4fI/AAAAAAAACb4/mwo9r0Iw58USwBHhr7HaoGj5W52w7GsiQCLcB/s1600/DSCN3199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RKnOL5birTY/V3Rbx9By4fI/AAAAAAAACb4/mwo9r0Iw58USwBHhr7HaoGj5W52w7GsiQCLcB/s320/DSCN3199.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10 rows of the Winter Tumbler</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I ended up making 22 rows, so the quilt is a little big more than a 6 foot square. It should be plenty big enough to wrap up in on a cold winter day.<br /><br />Along the way I made a few mistakes that turned into design elements I ended up repeating throughout the quilt. I tried not to repeat a fabric next to each other, but discovered early on that some blocks matched up between the rows. I actually liked the look and then repeated it throughout. I felt it provided more movement. And perhaps a little more contemporary look. The same for the darker colors, especially the blues. I tried to space them, so they provided movement through the quilt.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tqNjWmV6DDI/V3Rct9snJXI/AAAAAAAACcI/1bXf2GMT0zMPmO9d9QQiiJWu7AXWGJ1LwCLcB/s1600/DSCN3201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tqNjWmV6DDI/V3Rct9snJXI/AAAAAAAACcI/1bXf2GMT0zMPmO9d9QQiiJWu7AXWGJ1LwCLcB/s320/DSCN3201.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first match</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dwOg3FQU85w/V3RcthglJcI/AAAAAAAACcE/PGjcLWkYoSgylsb6ImXwK6KvOt4NMAXLACLcB/s1600/DSCN3200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dwOg3FQU85w/V3RcthglJcI/AAAAAAAACcE/PGjcLWkYoSgylsb6ImXwK6KvOt4NMAXLACLcB/s320/DSCN3200.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Added more matched blocks.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />As you can tell the rows are not sewn together in the pictures above. As of today's writing I have my rows together, the sides trimmed and stitched. I had preshrunk my flannel backing. I even have my binding cut and pressed.&nbsp; All that is left is to attach the leaders for the long arm machine to the backing. I don't have a quilting appointment until August. I am on the cancellation wait list, and am hopeful I will get in before my August date. I am also working on a quilt for my youngest son, also a Christmas gift. I know that is a long way off, but I have some medical treatments coming up this fall, so I'm trying to get my Christmas sewing done. If I can get them quilted and the binding sewn on by machine. I can finish off the hand sewing of the binding at my leisure. By Monday I should have three quilts waiting for space at the longarm studio. Here hoping. I will post an update when it's quilted.<br /><br />Coming attractions: One pattern, two quilts. Is it horrid or fun and funky?Darlene Contadinohttps://plus.google.com/114219627027227506345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540347293813227691.post-45888433887197694272016-06-11T16:55:00.000-07:002016-06-11T16:58:44.915-07:00Loving the Workshop at Quilter's Studio in Loveland, Ohio.When I first started quilting it was all I could do to cut fabric correctly and sew it together with that 1/4 inch seam. Along the way I discovered I loved piecing. Fortunately I had a wonderful mentor and friend who was also a long-arm quilter. That allowed me to focus on developing sewing skills and leave the quilting to someone else.<br /><br />Over the last year or so that has changed.&nbsp; I knew that I needed to take the responsibility of finishing my quilts, if possible. At the very least I needed to give it a try.&nbsp; It was with some anxiety I took the long arm class at the Quilters Studio. I was intimidated by the computerized quilting machine and was sure I would ruin something, either my quilt or heaven forbid break the machine.&nbsp; The staff assured me that neither would happen.&nbsp; My worries where unfounded and it has been a very pleasant experience.&nbsp; There are usually several months between my appointments, so there is a little relearning at each visit. The staff is so patient and ready to help. <br /><br />I&nbsp; recently spent an afternoon at the Quilter's Studio with the long arm machine. As usual the staff was so supportive and helped me pick just the right design. I was able to finish two quilts. I used Hobbs 80/20 in both quilts which results in a light and soft look and feel. I love the way they turned out.<br /><br />My first quilt was my Scrappy Hexies. I made a scrappy binding too.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-axJ80zI_7zw/V1yafVKqFGI/AAAAAAAACaA/y_WbgMLbJggWL0Da_Fafp2VZmxfhiHfHACLcB/s1600/DSCN3143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-axJ80zI_7zw/V1yafVKqFGI/AAAAAAAACaA/y_WbgMLbJggWL0Da_Fafp2VZmxfhiHfHACLcB/s320/DSCN3143.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scrappy Hexies</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qceVdk1gL4I/V1yae8cH3iI/AAAAAAAACZ4/aDY2Z6fi21IRR07vBNw_A-23N-1ruIobACKgB/s1600/DSCN3144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qceVdk1gL4I/V1yae8cH3iI/AAAAAAAACZ4/aDY2Z6fi21IRR07vBNw_A-23N-1ruIobACKgB/s320/DSCN3144.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilting detail</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>I also finished and quilted Crab Apples. I used a vining leaf panto for that quilt. <br /><br />This quilt turned out very different that I intended.&nbsp; I was inspired to do this quilt because of a piece of fabric with barns and apple trees, but the inspiration fabric just didn't work. Instead I decided to just focus on the apple trees. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fnyQBsGXbi8/V1yafPeRyfI/AAAAAAAACaQ/yyqweFzoHKsS-MXPZcvIh1Bv2eDZjnt5wCKgB/s1600/DSCN3142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fnyQBsGXbi8/V1yafPeRyfI/AAAAAAAACaQ/yyqweFzoHKsS-MXPZcvIh1Bv2eDZjnt5wCKgB/s320/DSCN3142.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Version of Crab Apples</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Finally I bound my winter version of Bonnie's Celtic Solstice. It had been sitting in my sewing area for months. Now that it's complete it&nbsp; will be put away for next winter (it has a flannel back).&nbsp; Despite tons of mistakes on this quilt, I am happy with the results. I pieced it when I first discovered I had Multiple Myeloma. Just to finish it was a victory.&nbsp; There where times I was not sure I would be able to finish it, but I was determined, even if I could only work on it for short periods each day.&nbsp; And the mistakes don't show too much from a distance...<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ka1laAlcd-w/V1ycAUVfMPI/AAAAAAAACaU/CKj4vMHlXnow6gpNSwl5qbwK2a6wqiFFQCLcB/s1600/DSCN3145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ka1laAlcd-w/V1ycAUVfMPI/AAAAAAAACaU/CKj4vMHlXnow6gpNSwl5qbwK2a6wqiFFQCLcB/s320/DSCN3145.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friendship stars, instead of Chevrons</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j-SGBWBF0Yc/V1ycA9okbNI/AAAAAAAACaY/Ci2af3RXyUIB3vk20_wgQx62fi_5dZijgCLcB/s1600/DSCN3146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j-SGBWBF0Yc/V1ycA9okbNI/AAAAAAAACaY/Ci2af3RXyUIB3vk20_wgQx62fi_5dZijgCLcB/s320/DSCN3146.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of quilting.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I still need to do labels, but for now I have my, Must Get Done, quilts completed.&nbsp; Bonnie's Cathedral Windows quilt in a work in progress. I am not feeling pressured to get it done. I still have my fabric for last year's Mystery Quilt in it's bin. I'm learning that we really never know how many quilts are in our future.&nbsp; I have accepted that it's best to make the most of today. &nbsp; I'm kind of in the mood for something simple.&nbsp; I might just&nbsp; use some of my blue stash and make a Ironi (sunken hearth) quilt that is in <u>Japanese Quilt Inspirations</u> by Susan Briscoe.&nbsp; It seems to be the perfect summer project.<br /><br />When I'm not working on the quilts you can find me in my shade garden. It's designed in the style of a Japanese stroll garden. It my refuge. And there is even a gazebo where I can sit and bind quilts. Who could ask for more?&nbsp; <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hOuKQPjAq4U/V1yhDnH8_mI/AAAAAAAACas/oQrT7AcipSQ24-tCrBxFe8tlyjhedYY-gCLcB/s1600/DSCN3137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hOuKQPjAq4U/V1yhDnH8_mI/AAAAAAAACas/oQrT7AcipSQ24-tCrBxFe8tlyjhedYY-gCLcB/s320/DSCN3137.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_3277M3QEik/V1yiswNxLUI/AAAAAAAACa4/tak25S_tmsQnRXItlaUU9T2Bk4WW8X_YACLcB/s1600/DSCN3129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_3277M3QEik/V1yiswNxLUI/AAAAAAAACa4/tak25S_tmsQnRXItlaUU9T2Bk4WW8X_YACLcB/s320/DSCN3129.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l1_Zk69jDQk/V1yhDlbtroI/AAAAAAAACao/8F3FJSsEGvE_NVBva-AqC62Nnvr32yIqgCLcB/s1600/DSCN3138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>Coming events:&nbsp; the return of granddaughter Jana.&nbsp; Jana has been busy being a teenager and we have not had opportunity to sew together. However we are planning and working on a Tumbler quilt. She loves my Go Baby so I'm counting on her future help to cut out tumblers for a Christmas present for her Uncle. It should be fun....we will see if she can keep a secret.Darlene Contadinohttps://plus.google.com/114219627027227506345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540347293813227691.post-9937626078098627972016-05-21T11:14:00.002-07:002016-05-21T11:14:58.610-07:00Scrappy HexiesThe longer I follow Bonnie Hunter, the more I appreciate scrappy quilts. I came across this&nbsp; Scrappy Hexies pattern in the Spring 2015 McCalls Quilting magazine. It caught my eye and I thought it would be fun to make.<br /><br />I started this quilt nearly a year ago as a Block of the Month with the Clermont County,&nbsp; Ohio Star Quilt Guild. Nearly a dozen members donated a block and I was off to a great start. Life intervened and also other quilts took priority, so I just finished the quilt this week.<br /><br />If you follow this blog you know I do a lot of Bonnie Hunter patterns. Well this is not Bonnie's pattern, but everything she loves: scrappy and hexies!&nbsp; And without her influence I would not have tackled this quilt. First I would not have the strip stash I have today. I am sure my strips are no where as organized as hers, but at least I have them and it makes taking on project like this easy.<br /><br />The second influence was being able to transfer some of the methodology used in her classes and patterns, especially cutting strips and using the easy angle rulers. While I could not use the easy angle ruler, I adapted the process and used the provided template, flipping as I cut. I used a grunge fabric&nbsp; for the neutral to give the quilt and "old" look<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mbd30CmIIYg/V0CgAZxaN4I/AAAAAAAACZg/wwFds4wjdEsVkPL5mYwKyHaUQjF1hJBhwCLcB/s1600/DSCN3079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mbd30CmIIYg/V0CgAZxaN4I/AAAAAAAACZg/wwFds4wjdEsVkPL5mYwKyHaUQjF1hJBhwCLcB/s320/DSCN3079.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SVpJKwd9gK8/V0CgAdmOrGI/AAAAAAAACZc/ZJ65ZpHrFCE7LbIbmS7c-h-XzmeSb5-pACLcB/s1600/DSCN3080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SVpJKwd9gK8/V0CgAdmOrGI/AAAAAAAACZc/ZJ65ZpHrFCE7LbIbmS7c-h-XzmeSb5-pACLcB/s320/DSCN3080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BR8crgNOIdM/V0Cf_f0ProI/AAAAAAAACZY/Ogm9KnzUddoFMQhMsbDOun8UICP1wewuACLcB/s1600/DSCN3081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><br />Rather than use the template provided for the center hexie I used the template from my Go Baby. This made cutting a breeze. Since the final size of each block was what mattered, it was not a problem that my GoBaby template was slightly different that the pattern.<br /><br /><br /><br />So let the piecing begin. I had a great time pulling scraps from my bins and finding those unusual pieces to give blocks a certain spark. I was really excited to find fabric with text, or special interest, like cats, space and fishing. Everyone and nearly every quilt I have made is represented in this quilt. <br /><br />Here are some samples:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TUoi-_2vUlc/V0CfhjrjLVI/AAAAAAAACYw/dXejW0Z4Iz0mUaptUYnWya-sDEp8xOxAQCKgB/s1600/DSCN3069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TUoi-_2vUlc/V0CfhjrjLVI/AAAAAAAACYw/dXejW0Z4Iz0mUaptUYnWya-sDEp8xOxAQCKgB/s320/DSCN3069.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-799XQvIW7f4/V0Cfi4kMYoI/AAAAAAAACY4/TQI2i-7F6egIDHd9_axUTuzkSZJKoKGhwCKgB/s1600/DSCN3070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-799XQvIW7f4/V0Cfi4kMYoI/AAAAAAAACY4/TQI2i-7F6egIDHd9_axUTuzkSZJKoKGhwCKgB/s320/DSCN3070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2u4ceUTXW9E/V0Cfjof2f7I/AAAAAAAACY8/BWAlraltdaM9PBlowVtRIFSUdXxa8zgsgCKgB/s1600/DSCN3072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2u4ceUTXW9E/V0Cfjof2f7I/AAAAAAAACY8/BWAlraltdaM9PBlowVtRIFSUdXxa8zgsgCKgB/s320/DSCN3072.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />I also added an addition block to each row, to make the quilt a little wider. This quilt was easy to piece and went together quickly.&nbsp; I have an appointment to quilt it on June 2nd. I am not sure what pattern I will use, but they are very helpful at The Workshops at Quilters Studio of Loveland where I quilt all my quilts. I am sure they will help me find the perfect pattern. This easy quilt is quickly becoming one of my favorites.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x9qv_KIQxD4/V0CfioRG5II/AAAAAAAACY0/Ky_rACW-RxYwZSb3kcCbvHgb-17BIiZcwCKgB/s1600/DSCN3071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x9qv_KIQxD4/V0CfioRG5II/AAAAAAAACY0/Ky_rACW-RxYwZSb3kcCbvHgb-17BIiZcwCKgB/s320/DSCN3071.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scrappy Hexies- on design floor :)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>I give many of my quilts away. I usually have someone in mind before I start the quilt. My husband asked who this quilt was for and I replied. "Me, It's mine, all mine"!<br /><br />Darlene Contadinohttps://plus.google.com/114219627027227506345noreply@blogger.com0